VINCENT LOPINTO: I am American. In 1910 my great-great grandfather came to America from Naples, Italy. He entered through Ellis Island. The only English he spoke was “America!” He moved into a one-room apartment on the Upper East Side, and after a few years married an Italian girl also living in America. They moved to Brooklyn, and my great-great-grandfather got a job in construction with others that had come from Naples before him. I think he was scared to death, to be perfectly honest. Back in Italy, though, he would work his whole life for nothing. America promised to be different. A country where dreams could come true. Question Use the following excerpt from the play I Am American to answer the question. What is the effect of this exposition in the play? (1 point) Responses It describes the daily life of a main character. It describes the daily life of a main character. It gives background information about one of the characters. It gives background information about one of the characters. It describes how the events of the play got more complicated. It describes how the events of the play got more complicated. It introduces a conflict that must be resolved.

Answer 1

The correct response is: It gives background information about one of the characters.

This exposition provides important context about Vincent Lopinto's family history and the experiences of his great-great grandfather when arriving in America. It helps the audience understand the character's roots and the influence of his family's immigrant experience on his identity.