Which branches constitute the three branches of the U.S. government?

The correct answer identifies the three branches of the U.S. government as executive, legislative, and judicial. This structure was established by the Constitution to create a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch holds too much power.

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and is headed by the President. The legislative branch, which consists of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), is tasked with making laws. The judicial branch interprets laws and ensures their application, with the Supreme Court being the highest authority in this branch.

This separation into three distinct branches allows for oversight and balance, preventing any one branch from becoming dominant over the others. The other options contain combinations of branches that do not reflect the established structure defined in the U.S. Constitution, which is fundamental to the American political system.