Final answer:
The federal government's responsibility among the provided options is maintaining the national defense. Local or state governments handle services like waste collection and emergency services. The federal government also focuses on supporting workers, advancing industry, environmental protection, and national defense. Therefore, the most appropriate option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of the federal government includes various services that are essential to the functioning of the country. Among the options provided, maintaining the national defense is the service that the federal government is responsible for. The other services listed, such as collecting garbage and recyclables, operating police and fire departments, and setting education standards, are typically the responsibility of local or state governments, although the federal government can influence education standards through policies and funding. Other functions of the federal government encompass helping workers as a group, helping industries stay strong, protecting the environment, and advancing national defense. The Freedmen's Bureau, for instance, was a historic example of federal government action, though collecting taxes was not one of its functions. Rather it focused on reuniting families, establishing schools, and helping workers secure labor contracts post-Civil War.