Which term is most appropriate for describing background information provided at the beginning of a story?

The term that best describes the background information provided at the beginning of a story is exposition. This component serves to introduce key elements such as character backgrounds, settings, and essential context that readers need to understand the narrative. By establishing this foundational information, exposition allows readers to grasp the situation and motivations before the main plot unfolds.

In contrast, rising action refers to the sequence of events that lead up to the story's climax, building tension and developing the conflict. The climax itself is the turning point or most intense moment in a story, where the main conflict reaches its peak. Resolution, on the other hand, occurs at the end of the story, where conflicts are resolved and the narrative concludes, providing closure to the events that unfolded. Thus, exposition is crucial for grounding the reader in the story's universe right from the start.