Which form of government consists of a union of several countries with some or most power shared between them?

• A. Confederation
• B. Federation
• C. Monarchy
• D. Democracy

Answer: (A)

Power distribution in unions formed by several political units is what this is testing. In a confederation, several independent states join to handle common tasks, but they keep their sovereignty and grant only limited powers to a central body. The central authority exists to coordinate actions like defense or trade, yet its power comes from the member states and it typically cannot compel states to follow its decisions. This creates a loose alliance where responsibilities are shared, matching the description of a union of several countries with some or most power shared between them. By contrast, a federation distributes authority between a central government and regional governments within a single state, with both levels having constitutional powers; monarchy centers power in a ruling monarch, and democracy refers to governance by the people.