What are common text features and how do they aid comprehension?

• A. Bold words indicate important terms but do not aid comprehension.
• B. Headings, captions, bold words, diagrams guide attention and support comprehension.
• C. Pictures are the only helpful features.
• D. Glossaries are not text features.

Answer: (B)

Text features help readers understand what they read. When a passage uses headings, captions, bold words, and diagrams, these cues organize information and guide attention. Headings show what each section is about, so you can predict what you'll read next and jump to the part you need. Captions explain what an image or chart shows, giving you quick meaning without scanning the whole picture. Bold words mark key terms or ideas, making them easier to remember. Diagrams translate information into a visual representation, helping you see relationships and processes more clearly. Together, these features build a clearer map of the text and support comprehension as you read.

It's not true that bolding has no effect on comprehension; it helps highlight important concepts. Pictures aren't the only helpful features—headings, captions, and diagrams also support understanding and organization. A glossary is a text feature too, providing quick definitions for new words.