U.S. Citizenship Civics Test · Civics (American Government, History, Symbols and Holidays)
U.S. Citizenship Civics Test: The Courts and Federal and State Powers Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the judicial branch and how power is shared between the federal government and the states. You will learn about the Supreme Court, how long justices serve, and which powers belong only to the federal government or only to the states.
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and the federal courts. It reviews and explains laws, resolves disagreements about the law, and decides if a law goes against the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
The Supreme Court has nine seats, and usually five justices are needed to decide a case. Justices serve for life. This lets them be independent of politics, because they do not have to worry about losing their jobs.
Some powers belong only to the federal government, such as printing paper money, minting coins, declaring war, creating an army, and making treaties. Other powers belong only to the states, such as providing schooling, police and fire protection, driver's licenses, and zoning. The 10th Amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Key concepts
Judicial branch
The courts, including the Supreme Court and the federal courts. They review and explain laws and decide if a law goes against the Constitution.
Memory tipJudicial = judges and courts.
Supreme Court
The highest court in the United States. It has nine seats, and usually five justices are needed to decide a case.
Memory tip9 seats, 5 to decide.
Source: USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) · as of 2025
Life term
Supreme Court justices serve for life (until retirement). This keeps them independent of politics and limits outside influence.
Memory tipLife term = independence.
Federal powers
Powers only for the federal government: print paper money, mint coins, declare war, create an army, make treaties, and set foreign policy.
Memory tipMoney and war belong to the nation.
State powers
Powers only for the states: provide schooling, police and fire protection, give driver's licenses, and approve zoning and land use.
Memory tipSchools and driver's licenses belong to the state.
10th Amendment
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Memory tip10th = leftover powers go to the states.
Source: USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) · as of 2025
Often tested
- The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
- The Supreme Court has nine seats.
- Supreme Court justices serve for life.
- Printing money and declaring war are federal powers.
- Giving driver's licenses and providing schools are state powers.
Easy to confuse: Federal vs. state powers
| Topic | Federal government only | States only |
|---|---|---|
| Money | Print paper money, mint coins | — |
| Safety | Declare war, create an army | Police and fire departments |
| Daily life | Make treaties, set foreign policy | Schools, driver's licenses, zoning |