Which amendment reserves powers not delegated to the United States to the states or to the people?

• A. Ninth Amendment
• B. Tenth Amendment
• C. Eighth Amendment
• D. First Amendment

Answer: (B)

Understanding how power is shared between the national government and the states is the key idea here. The Tenth Amendment makes it explicit that any powers not given to the United States by the Constitution, and not forbidden to the states, belong to the states or the people. This is the direct rule about reserved powers and is what distinguishes federal authority from state authority. The other amendments address different topics: the Ninth concerns rights retained by the people that aren’t listed, the Eighth sets limits on punishment, and the First covers fundamental freedoms like speech and religion. So, the Tenth Amendment is the best choice because it specifically codifies the idea of powers reserved to states or the people.