How does a graphic caption aid understanding?

• A. Captions explain what the graphic shows and link to the text.
• B. Captions distract from the main text.
• C. Captions are optional and unnecessary.
• D. Captions only repeat the title.

Answer: (A)

Captions help by naming what the graphic shows, explaining any symbols or units, and linking the image to the surrounding text. A good caption gives you the quick takeaway and shows how the visual supports or extends what you’re reading, so you don’t have to guess what the graphic means. For example, a chart might call out the time period and what each bar represents, or a diagram might describe the steps or processes shown. This connection makes it easier to interpret the image and understand its relevance to the passage.

Captions aren’t distractions or optional. They aren’t just repeating the title; they add specifics that clarify the graphic and show how it fits with the text.