What is the primary purpose of a glossary?

• A. To list names and topics with page numbers.
• B. To define important words.
• C. To draw diagrams.
• D. To provide a short summary of chapters.

Answer: (B)

A glossary defines important words used in a text. Its primary purpose is to give clear, precise definitions for terms that may be unfamiliar or used in a technical sense, so readers can understand the material without guessing what words mean. This makes reading smoother and helps with learning and retaining vocabulary, especially in subjects with many specialized terms.

This is why it’s the best choice: it directly provides the meanings readers need, serving as a quick, reliable reference for vocabulary.

The other options describe different tools: listing names and page numbers resembles an index, which guides you to where topics appear rather than defining terms; drawing diagrams is a type of visual aid; and a short summary of chapters provides an overview, not term definitions.