Question

Choose the statement from the following choices that best describes the separation of powers.

a. Powers and duties of the United States government are divided among three branches of government.
b. Powers and duties of the United States government are decided by a system of direct democracy.
c. Powers and duties of the United States government are divided among two branches of government.
d. Powers and duties of the United States government are chosen entirely by the President of the United States.

Answer 1

The powers and duties of the government were to be divided among these three branches.

Step-by-step explanation:

James Madison of Virginia presented to the convention a proposal called the Virginia Plan. Madison’s plan called for a strong central government with three branches, or divisions—an executive branch (president), a legislative branch (Congress), and a judicial branch (a federal court system). The powers and duties of the government were to be divided among these three branches. This arrangement is known as separation of powers.

Answer 2

Separation of powers refers to the fact that the government has three branches: legislative to make laws, executive to enforce the laws and judicial to decide over how the laws should be interpreted.

The correct answer is:
a. Powers and duties of the United States government are divided among three branches of government.