1. The problem asks to choose the two words that best complete the sentence: "During the exposition, it is important to introduce the ________ and the ________." 2. In literature, the exposition is the beginning part of a story where the background information is provided. 3. The exposition typically introduces the main characters and the setting, which is the time and place where the story occurs. 4. Other options like climax, conflict, falling action, and resolution happen later in the story structure. 5. Therefore, the best words to complete the sentence are **characters** and **setting**. **Final answer:** characters, setting