2008 civics test · Question 42 · System of Government
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
Any one of these answers is accepted
- provide schooling and education
- provide protection (police)
- provide safety (fire departments)
- give a driver's license
- approve zoning and land use
What this means
Certain powers belong to the states, and naming one answers the question:
- Provide schooling and education
- Provide protection (police)
- Provide safety (fire departments)
- Give a driver’s license
- Approve zoning and land use
These are day-to-day services best run close to home, which is why they are left to the states rather than the national government. Your local school, police, and DMV are all run at the state or local level.
The 2008 test asks for one power of the states, and the 2025 test asks for a power only for the states. The answers are the same.
A simple answer works: “provide schooling,” “give a driver’s license,” or “provide police protection.”
Why this is on the test
The other side of dividing power is what the states handle, and both tests ask you to name one of those state responsibilities.
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.
Related questions
More from System of Government.
- 13 Name one branch or part of the government. ★ 65/20 question
- 14 What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- 15 Who is in charge of the executive branch?
- 16 Who makes federal laws?
- 17 What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? ★ 65/20 question
- 18 How many U.S. Senators are there?