How do headings and subheadings assist reading comprehension?

• A. They guide you to the main ideas and help understand the organization
• B. They are decorative and have no impact
• C. They confuse the reader
• D. They indicate the page numbers only

Answer: (A)

Headings and subheadings act as signposts that show how a text is organized and where the main ideas live. They help you anticipate what each section will cover, so you can focus on the most important information and not get lost in details. When you see a heading like “Causes of the Civil War,” you expect the section to discuss reasons, and a subheading such as “Economic Differences” signals a specific part of that discussion. This helps you build a mental outline of the argument and connect details to the bigger picture, making comprehension and recall easier. They also make it easier to skim later or to jump straight to the evidence you need. They’re not decorative or just about page numbers; they actively guide your understanding of what the text is doing and how ideas relate to each other.