What is 'reserved power'?

[Samuel]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #255 "US Government Questions Test (4)", question 10

Certain areas of society are mandated only by the states so the federal government can't control them. This type of power is called ......... power.

(a) normal
(b) reserved
(c) state

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #255 "US Government Questions Test (4)", answer 10

Certain areas of society are mandated only by the states so the federal government can't control them. This type of power is called reserved power.

Correct answer: (b) reserved

Your answer was: incorrect
Certain areas of society are mandated only by the states so the federal government can't control them. This type of power is called state power.
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Why I can't choose this word"state"?

Samuel

[Linda]

Hello,
In the US, when the power is not shared between two forms of government, the term that is used is 'reserved' power. The term 'state power' is not really used - even in an informal manner. You can say that the item or resource is 'mandated by the state' but the term is 'reserved power.'
I hope this helps.
Linda
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[Tamara]

Thanks, I didn't know the term.