Question

Jurisdiction gives federal courts the authority

to hear certain kinds of cases.
to make decisions based on the law.
to hear arguments from different parties.
to make decisions based on precedents.

Answer 1

Correct: 1 and 3.

- Jurisdiction gives a court the authority to hear certain kinds of cases (subject‑matter jurisdiction).
- Jurisdiction also determines whether a court can hear a dispute involving particular parties (personal jurisdiction).

Not quite right:
- “To make decisions based on the law” describes what courts do once a case is properly before them, but that is not what “jurisdiction” itself means.
- “To make decisions based on precedents” describes stare decisis (binding/persuasive authority), not jurisdiction.