Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which three branches make up the government?

1. Legislative, Administrative, Judicial

2. Executive, Legislative, Regulatory

3. Legislative, Executive, Judicial

4. Judicial, Security, Legislative

The correct answer is: Legislative, Executive, Judicial

The three branches that make up the government are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. This separation of powers is a fundamental principle intended to prevent any single branch from gaining overwhelming authority. The Legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the Executive branch implements and enforces these laws, and the Judicial branch interprets the laws and resolves legal disputes. This system of checks and balances ensures that each branch can limit the powers of the others, creating a balance that is essential for a functioning democracy. Other answer options do not align with this established structure. For instance, the option that includes "Administrative" or "Regulatory" suggests roles that may exist within the government but do not represent distinct branches according to constitutional definitions. Similarly, the inclusion of "Security" in another option is not recognized as a core branch of government, which focuses on legislative functions, law enforcement, and judicial review.