Assess students' understanding of the distinct functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. federal government and the system of checks and balances that allocates power and limits authority. Include identification of primary roles (lawmaking, execution/administration, interpretation of laws), common checks (veto, judicial review, Senate confirmations, impeachment, appointments, treaties, congressional oversight), and brief scenario-based items requiring students to identify which branch acts or which check is used; focus on basic recall and recognition for introductory undergraduate study.