In Microsoft Word, when applying character formatting to text, which option group in the Font dialog is used to enable superscript and subscript effects?

Introduction / Context:
Microsoft Word provides many character formatting options to control how selected text appears. Among these options are superscript and subscript, which raise or lower text slightly relative to the baseline, commonly used in mathematical expressions, chemical formulas and footnote references. This question asks where in the character formatting options you would typically find the controls for superscript and subscript. Understanding the layout of the Font dialog helps users apply these effects efficiently and is a frequent topic in office application exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The application is Microsoft Word or a similar word processor.
• The focus is on character formatting, not paragraph formatting.
• The question asks under which part of the Font dialog superscript and subscript are enabled.
• Options mention font style, underline, effects, size and paragraph alignment.

Concept / Approach:
In Microsoft Word, superscript and subscript are considered special font effects. When you open the Font dialog, you see sections for font, font style, size and a list of effects that can be applied to the selected text. The effects section includes options such as strikethrough, double strikethrough, superscript, subscript, small caps and so on. Font style usually refers to regular, bold or italic, underline controls the underlining style and size controls how large the text is. Paragraph alignment is a separate feature found in the Paragraph dialog and on the Home tab, not within the Font dialog. Therefore, superscript and subscript are controlled under the effects options in the Font dialog.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Office training materials and Microsoft Word help documentation show screenshots of the Font dialog. These screenshots clearly label a group of checkboxes as Effects and list items like Strikethrough, Double strikethrough, Superscript and Subscript under that group. They treat superscript and subscript as font effects that modify the position of characters without changing font style or size directly. Underline and size settings appear in other parts of the same dialog. Paragraph alignment is documented separately in the Paragraph dialog. This organisation confirms that superscript and subscript belong to the effects section, making that the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Font style (regular, bold, italic): Controls weight and slant of the font, not vertical position as in superscript or subscript.
• Underline styles and colours: Manage underlining but do not provide superscript or subscript settings.
• Font size selection: Changes the size of characters but not their baseline position.
• Paragraph alignment settings: Affect how paragraphs are aligned on the page (left, centre, right, justified) and are not part of character effects.

Common Pitfalls:
Some users mix up font style and font effects because both are in the Font dialog. They may assume everything related to formatting is under style. To avoid this, remember that style deals with bold and italic, while effects are for special visual features like superscript, subscript and strikethrough. When an exam question mentions superscript and subscript specifically, the safest option is the one that refers directly to effects, not general style, underline or size controls.

Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, superscript and subscript are applied using the Effects options such as superscript and subscript section of the Font dialog.