What is the function of a caption in an informational graphic, and how does it relate to the main text?

• A. A caption is optional and uninformative.
• B. A caption provides a lengthy narrative beyond the graphic.
• C. A caption explains or clarifies the graphic data, linking it to the text's claims or context.
• D. A caption replaces the main text.

Answer: (C)

Captions explain and connect a graphic to the surrounding text. They describe what the graphic shows, note important details like units, time periods, or scales, and show how the visual evidence links to the claims or context discussed in the main text. This helps a reader understand precisely what the data mean and why they matter, without guessing about how the graphic fits into the argument. Captions are typically concise and targeted to the specific image, not a long detour from the main ideas.

So, the best choice shows that a caption clarifies the data and ties the graphic to the text’s claims or context. It’s not optional or uninformative, it doesn’t replace the main text, and it isn’t meant to be a lengthy narrative beyond the graphic.