Final answer:
The literal level of a story pertains to events or details that are directly presented in the narrative. Option A, the story about a failing marriage in New York City, is an example of the literal level of a story.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of what happens at the literal level of a story would involve an event or detail that is directly stated or unquestionably occurring in the narrative without any underlying symbolism or metaphor. Among the given choices, the answer is A. The story about a failing marriage in New York City. This is a factual detail establishing the setting and circumstances within the story. The literal level represents the surface story that readers grasp without interpretation.