Powers in the Federal System is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on the ideas behind the US federal system and state constitutions, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Civ.5.3-5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Powers in the Federal System

D2.Civ.5.3-5

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1.Why did the framers divide power between the nation and the states?

A.So the President could rule alone
B.So no single government would hold all the power
C.So each state could print its own money

2.What are the powers the Constitution gives to the national government called?

A.Delegated powers
B.Concurrent powers
C.Reserved powers

3.If a state law conflicts with the US Constitution, which one wins?

A.The US Constitution
B.The state law
C.Whichever was written first

4.What does the Constitution's Supremacy Clause make the highest law in the country?

A.The Constitution and the federal laws made under it
B.The laws of the largest state
C.Each state's constitution

5.What are powers shared by the national and state governments called?

A.Delegated powers
B.Reserved powers
C.Concurrent powers

6.What is a state's lawmaking body called?

A.The Supreme Court
B.The state legislature
C.Congress

7.What are the powers kept by the states called?

A.Concurrent powers
B.Reserved powers
C.Delegated powers

8.Who leads a state's executive branch?

A.The mayor
B.The governor
C.The President

LessonPrint · D2.Civ.5.3-5 · Set 9 · free to copy for classroom use

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Civ.5.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.

Answer key — Powers in the Federal System