American Government CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Prepare for the American Government CLEP Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which principle of the United States Constitution ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful?

Separation of powers.
Checks and balances.
Judicial review.
Due process.

The correct answer is: Checks and balances.

Checks and balances allows for the three branches of government to have oversight and control over each other, ensuring that one branch does not become dominant over the others. Option A, separation of powers, is another important principle of the Constitution but it refers to the separation of powers between the federal government and the states. Option C, judicial review, is a power of the courts to determine whether laws or actions are constitutional. Option D, due process, refers to the fair treatment of individuals in the legal system. While all of these principles are important in maintaining a balanced government, checks and balances specifically addresses the concern of one branch becoming too powerful.