Test students' understanding of the U.S. federal separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. Scope: constitutional foundations (Articles I–III, Federalist arguments), distinct roles and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; specific checks (veto and override, judicial review, impeachment, appointments and confirmations, treaty approval, congressional oversight); and application to brief scenario analysis and landmark examples (e.g., Marbury v. Madison, presidential impeachment). Assess comprehension and ability to explain how branches constrain and interact.