Which plot stage occurs after the climax and ties up loose ends?

• A. Resolution
• B. Initiating event
• C. Climax
• D. Falling action

Answer: (D)

After the climax, a story moves into a phase where the tension eases and the consequences of the turning point unfold. This portion is called the falling action. It’s when the narrative begins to tie up loose ends, showing how events after the climax affect characters and subplots, and it sets the stage for the ending. The falling action leads toward the resolution, where the main conflict is fully resolved and the story reaches its final state. For example, after the hero defeats the antagonist (the climax), the falling action might show the hero returning home, mending relationships, and addressing any lingering questions before the story ends.