What term refers to background information provided to the audience to understand the plot?

The term that refers to background information provided to the audience in order to understand the plot is known as exposition. This narrative element typically presents essential details such as the setting, character backgrounds, and the circumstances surrounding the story, which helps the audience grasp the context in which the actions and events occur. Exposition lays the groundwork for the story, allowing readers to comprehend the motivations of characters and the dynamics of the plot as it unfolds. This initial information is crucial for setting up the narrative's direction and is often presented at the beginning of a literary work.

The other terms listed, such as climax, conflict, and resolution, refer to different aspects of story structure. The climax is the peak of action or conflict in the narrative, the conflict pertains to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot, and resolution refers to the conclusion of the story where the conflicts are resolved. Each of these elements builds upon the groundwork laid by the exposition.