In civics, what are the three branches of government in the United States?

• A. Judicial, Legislative, and Administrative
• B. Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
• C. Executive, Judicial, and Administrative
• D. Legislative, Judicial, and Federal

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is the separation of powers: the government is divided into three distinct branches that share and balance authority.

The correct trio is the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch makes laws; it’s the Congress, which drafts and debates bills, then passes legislation. The Executive branch enforces laws; led by the President (and the President’s administration), it carries out laws, runs federal agencies, and conducts foreign policy. The Judicial branch interprets laws; it’s made up of courts, from district courts to the Supreme Court, resolving disputes and ensuring laws align with the Constitution.

Other options mix in terms that aren’t official branches. Administrative isn’t a formal branch like the three we rely on, and Federal refers to levels or scopes of government rather than a branch. So the trio that truly exists as the three branches is Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.