Final answer:
The primary distinction between reading a play and a short story is that plays require readers to imagine the setting details, as they rely on dialogue and action rather than descriptive narration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between reading a play and reading a short story is that when reading a play, a reader sometimes has to imagine the details of the setting, whereas a novel or short story will often provide elaborate descriptions. Plays are written with dialogue and stage directions, focusing more on what the characters say and do to convey the plot and themes. In contrast, short stories can delve into character thoughts and provide a narrative structure that guides the reader through the plot, typically covering fewer characters and a shorter time span compared to novels.