Final Answer:
In C++, strings are zero-indexed, so `str[2]` correctly prints the third character of the string variable `str`. The correct option is A. `cout << str[2];`.
Step-by-step explanation:
In C++, strings are zero-indexed, meaning the first character is at index 0. Therefore, to access the third character, which is at index 2, you use square brackets `[]`.
Option A (`cout << str[2];`) correctly accesses the third character of the string variable `str` and prints it to the console. Options B and C are incorrect syntax for accessing elements in a string.
Option D is not a standard way to print the third character and lacks clarity compared to the correct option, A.