How can headings and subheadings help identify the central idea?

• A. Headings and subheadings provide no help in understanding the central idea.
• B. They signal the main topics and progression of the text, guiding central idea extraction.
• C. They only appear in fiction.
• D. They confuse readers.

Answer: (D)

Headings and subheadings act as signposts that show what each part of a text will cover and how those parts connect. By glancing at them, you get a sense of the overall topic and the path the writer will take, which helps you locate the central idea that ties the details together. For example, a nonfiction article might have sections titled “Benefits of Solar Power,” “Costs and Barriers,” and “Future Outlook.” Those headings reveal the main topics and how the argument or explanation will unfold, guiding you to the central message. So the best choice is the one that describes headings as signaling the main topics and the progression of the text to help you extract the central idea. They don’t typically confuse readers, and they appear in many kinds of writing, not just fiction.