What are the 3 branches of government?

• A. Executive, Legislative, Judicial
• B. Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• C. Courts, Congress, Executive
• D. Federal, State, Local

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is the separation of powers: government authority is divided into three distinct branches so no one group has all the power. The three branches are the Legislative, which creates laws; the Executive, which enforces laws; and the Judicial, which interprets laws and settles disputes. This structure is designed to provide checks and balances—the President or Governor can veto, the Legislature can override vetoes or check appointments, and the courts can strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution.

In the federal system, Congress is the Legislative branch, the President is the head of the Executive, and the courts are the Judicial branch. In Texas, the same three branches apply with corresponding state roles. The option that lists Courts, Congress, and Executive uses terms that don’t match the official branch names, so it’s not the standard way to name the three branches. The other option refers to levels of government rather than the branches themselves. The correct framing is Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.