The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

• A. Federalism
• B. Representation
• C. Separation of Powers
• D. Consent of the Governed

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how government powers are divided among separate branches to prevent any one part from gaining too much control. This arrangement is called separation of powers: one branch makes laws, another enforces them, and a third interprets them. This setup creates checks and balances so power is shared and scrutinized across the branches. For context, in the United States, Congress writes laws, the President enforces them, and the courts interpret them. The other concepts refer to different ideas: federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments, representation is about how people elect leaders, and consent of the governed is the principle that government authority comes from the people.