Practice identifying the roles of local, state, and federal government and how they work together in a federal system.
Read each problem carefully. Use complete sentences when explaining your answers.
Understanding powers, responsibilities, and levels of government
Social Studies - Grade 6-8
- 1
A city council votes to repair sidewalks near a middle school. Which level of government is most directly responsible for this decision: local, state, or federal? Explain your answer.
- 2
A state legislature passes a law setting the minimum age for getting a driver license. Which level of government is taking action? Explain why.
- 3
Congress passes a law about immigration rules for the entire country. Which level of government has this power, and why?
- 4
Label each responsibility as local, state, or federal: running public libraries, printing money, managing state highways, declaring war, collecting trash, and setting graduation requirements.
- 5
Explain the meaning of federalism in the United States government.
- 6
A mayor, governor, and president are all executive leaders. Match each leader to the level of government they usually represent.
- 7
A hurricane damages several towns. Local firefighters respond first, the state sends emergency workers, and the federal government provides disaster aid. What does this example show about government?
- 8
Give one example of a power or responsibility shared by state and federal governments.
- 9
A county government decides where to build a new public park. Why is this usually considered a local government decision?
- 10
Look at the idea of separation of powers. At the federal level, which branch makes laws, which branch carries out laws, and which branch interprets laws?
- 11
A student says, "The federal government controls everything, so state governments do not matter." Explain why this statement is incorrect.
- 12
Match each action to the correct level of government: issuing passports, running a city police department, approving a state budget, and maintaining a town water system.
- 13
Why might a state law be different from a law in another state? Give one example of an issue that states may handle differently.
- 14
Study a simple government flowchart with three levels: federal, state, and local. Write one example of a leader, one example of a lawmaking body, and one example of a service for each level.
- 15
A new law is proposed to require safer playground equipment in every public park in a city. Describe one way citizens could participate in the local government process.