孟德斯鳩主張
Enlightenment philosopher Baron de Montesquieu claimed that the biggest threat in any government system was “despotism,” or the unlimited power of one individual or group.
法國啟蒙時期哲學家孟德斯鳩主張政府體系中最大的威脅即是「專制主義」，或是某人或組織擁有無限上綱的權力。
threat(n.)威脅despotism(n.)專制主義unlimited(adj.)不受限制的;無窮的
He believed that the only way to prevent this and maintain a fair and just government was to divide its power between branches.
他相信要避免專制並維持公平公正的政府體系，唯一方法就是將公權力分散至各個機關。
fair(adj.)公平的just(adj.)公正的;正義的The sentence has been considered a just punishment.divide(v.)分開;分散Students are divided into three groups.branch(n.)分支;分公司;分部
The US government was formed with this idea in mind and is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
美國政府建立之初便以此理念為考量基礎，將政府體系分為三個權力機關，即：立法、行政與司法。
form(v.)形塑;形成with sth. in mind=把某事放在心上;考量到某事We carry out the action with a purpose in mind.have sth. in mind=想到某事
The legislative branch is responsible for creating laws and policies.
立法機關負責立法與制定政策，
be responsible for sth.=對某事負責
Its members are separated into two groups, the House and the Senate, and as a whole they are called Congress.
其成員分成兩組：參議院與眾議院，整體而言則稱作國會。
as a whole=整體上;整體看來
The executive branch enforces the laws and it consists of the president and his or her advisors, as well as various departments.
行政機關實行法律，由總統與其顧問，還有各個部門組成。
enforce(v.)實行;執行The government has enforced new import restrictions.consist of=由~構成或組成;包括;包含=be composed of=be made up of=The collection consists of eateries in 49 cities.various(adj.)各種不同的
The judicial branch is in charge of deciding if a law has been broken and how the offender should be punished. It is the American court system.
司法機關則負責決定政府有無違法以及如何懲處違法者，這便是美國的司法體系。
be in charge of sth.=負責或管理某事=be responsible for sth.He is the person in charge of this firm.offender(n.)違法(規)者;罪犯offend(v.)犯罪;違法punish(v.)懲罰;懲處
Each branch has its own specific powers and limitations which balances the system and prevents any one branch from having too much influence.
三個機關各有特定權力與限制，互相制衡，避免其中一方的影響力凌駕之上。
limitation(n.)限制;局限influence(n.)(v.)影響(力)She uses her influence to raise public awareness about gender equality.