List three informational text features and explain how they aid comprehension.

• A. Headings/subheadings organize content; diagrams/graphs present data visually; captions and glossary explain terms and clarify details.
• B. Captions explain terms; headings do not organize content; glossaries are optional.
• C. The index is the primary feature for comprehension.
• D. Bold text is the only feature that helps comprehension.

Answer: (A)

Informational texts use features designed to help readers locate information quickly and grasp meaning. Three key features are headings and subheadings, diagrams and graphs, and captions plus a glossary. Headings and subheadings organize content into topics and sections, so students can skim and decide what to read more closely and where to find specific information. Diagrams and graphs translate numbers, processes, or relationships into visual form, making it easier to see patterns, compare ideas, and understand how things work. Captions connect images to the text by explaining what the picture shows, and glossaries provide definitions for unfamiliar terms, supporting understanding and word learning. Together, these features support both locating information and building vocabulary, which improves overall comprehension in nonfiction. The other choices misstate how these features work—for example, claiming headings don’t organize content or that the index is the primary feature—when in reality multiple features work together to aid understanding.