Which statement about graphics in informational texts is most accurate?

• A. Graphics should always be ignored when reading.
• B. Graphics illustrate data, show relationships, and aid understanding; read captions and scales.
• C. Graphics replace the need to read the text.
• D. Graphics are only decorative and have no relation to content.

Answer: (B)

Graphics in informational texts help you understand by illustrating data and showing relationships. They come in forms like charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams, and they work best when you don’t just glance at them but read the captions and examine the scales or axes. The caption tells you the main point the graphic is making, while the scales and labels tell you what the numbers mean and how to compare different parts of the graphic. This pairing with the written text helps you grasp trends, differences, and connections more clearly than words alone.

So the statement that graphics illustrate data, show relationships, and aid understanding; read captions and scales, is the strongest because it captures how graphics actively contribute to meaning—they’re not just pictures, they’re tools for interpreting information. If you skip the captions or ignore the scales, you might miss important details or misread what the graphic is showing. Graphics aren’t decorative or something to ignore, and they don’t replace the text; they complement it and deepen your understanding.