Final answer:
Option (2), A short story is a form of fiction meant to be read in one sitting, often with a structured plot, fewer characters, and a twist at the end, creating a single unified effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
A short story is a form of fiction designed to be read in one sitting and is crafted to create a single unified effect. Unlike a novel, which is a long work of fiction, a short story focuses on a singular event or a series of connected events, typically unfolds over a relatively short time span, and involves fewer characters. The goal of a short story is often to bring the reader to a sudden revelation or understanding with a structured plot leading to a climax, and frequently an unexpected twist at the end.
While a novella falls between the short story and the novel in terms of length and complexity, a novel is identified by its extended narrative that can span a wide variety of settings, a more expansive cast of characters, and often covers a more extended period. A well-known example of a novel is Beloved by Toni Morrison, which exemplifies the depth and length typically associated with this form of fiction.