Based on the countries in this table, the decline in industrial production during the great depression was relatively more severe in countries
a) that had industralized more recently
b) that has large overseas colonial empires
c) where the great depression began earlier
d)where world war 1 battles had been fought

If we would based our answer from the table given it would be letter C. where the great depression began earlier. Because in the table the most severed countries hit by the Depression are the ones who hit the most early because they are the one who take the brunt of the Depression and if they start early it means that they can be a source or a dependent of the source.

They made a checks and balance system to equal power within the branches. the "check" meant that one branch would watch one branch and "balance" them if they were too powerful. if you want more info on this, i would just google checks and balance system.