The U.S. Supreme Court primarily hears appeals in matters of national importance and interprets the Constitution using which power?

• A. It holds trials in all criminal cases
• B. Judicial review
• C. Drafts legislation
• D. Enforces state laws

Answer: (B)

The power being tested is judicial review—the authority to interpret the Constitution and determine whether laws or government actions comply with it. The Supreme Court relies on this power to decide cases that involve constitutional questions or national significance, reviewing statutes and executive actions to see if they violate constitutional rights. This is the mechanism that underpins its role in shaping national law, not by drafting legislation or enforcing laws, but by checking legality and constitutionality. The other options describe functions of other branches or levels of government—holding trials, drafting legislation, or enforcing state laws—so they don’t capture the Supreme Court’s constitutional interpretive role.