2008 civics test · Question 41 · System of Government

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

Any one of these answers is accepted

  • to print money
  • to declare war
  • to create an army
  • to make treaties

What this means

Certain powers belong to the federal (national) government, and naming one answers the question:

  • Print and coin money
  • Declare war
  • Create an army
  • Make treaties with other countries

These are jobs that make sense to handle for the whole country at once. A single national currency, one military, and one foreign policy would not work if each state did its own thing.

The 2008 test asks for one power of the federal government, and the 2025 test asks for a power that is only for the federal government. The answers overlap.

A simple answer works: “print money,” “declare war,” or “make treaties.”

Why this is on the test

The Constitution splits power between the national government and the states, and both tests ask you to name something the federal government does.

How this question is asked

On the 2008 civics test, the officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions out loud and you pass by answering 6 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.

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