You are reading a lengthy description of a desert scene. This is called the?

A.

rising action

B.

setting

C.

character

D.

anticlimax

B. Setting

Your setting is the place the story is taking place or somewhere the character is during this part of the story.

I would say either A, or B. But I think B because it is giving you the setting of where this is taking place. So you wouldn't expect to all of a sudden see pirates right? You would more expect to hear of a lost civilization or see a camel walk past. It's basically getting you into the mindset of where the story's taking place and what to expect next.