Which term refers to the initial background information in a tragedy, introducing characters and setting?

• A. Exposition
• B. Rising action
• C. Climax
• D. Denouement

Answer: (A)

Exposition is the part that introduces the audience to the world of the story: who the characters are, where and when the action takes place, and the situation that sets the plot in motion. In a tragedy, this background information establishes the stakes and relationships before the conflict intensifies, helping readers understand why what happens next matters. The rising action then develops complications leading to the climax, which is the story's turning point, and the denouement shows how the consequences unfold after the climax. Because initial background information is precisely what exposition provides, it is the correct term.