Both seagulls and wild geese are large birds. they're also similar in that both kinds of birds can fly over great distances. on the other hand, seagulls are scavengers, while wild geese aren't. seagulls, for example, are often found around garbage dumps. geese, however, feed on things like seeds and insects. another important difference between the two kinds of birds is that geese fly on long annual migrations of well over 1,000 miles. seagulls will migrate far inland to search for food. however, they don't follow seasonal patterns of migration like wild geese. clue words showing that contrasts are being made in this paragraph include a. while and however. b. and and similar. c. both and difference. d. also and hand.

separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.   the intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.  

the traditional characterizations of the powers of the branches of american government are:

* the legislative branch is responsible for enacting the laws of the state and appropriating the money necessary to operate the government.

* the executive branch is responsible for implementing and administering the public policy enacted and funded by the legislative branch.

* the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the constitution and laws and applying their interpretations to controversies brought before it.

forty state constitutions specify that government be divided into three branches:   legislative, executive and judicial.   california illustrates this approach; "the powers of state government are legislative, executive, and judicial.   persons charged with the exercise of one power may not exercise either of the others except as permitted by this constitution."

while separation of powers is key to the workings of american government, no democratic system exists with an absolute separation of powers or an absolute lack of separation of powers. governmental powers and responsibilities intentionally overlap; they are too complex and interrelated to be neatly compartmentalized. as a result, there is an inherent measure of competition and conflict

minnesota:   minnesota house research,   separation of powers: when statutes and court rules conflict, 2005

the right answer is d