New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) Early Childhood Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term that refers to a story portraying characters in a plot while building on epic and romance elements is a novel. Novels are typically longer narratives that allow for the development of complex characters, intricate plots, and various themes, often interweaving elements of adventure, romance, and deeper character exploration similar to those found in epic tales.

In contrast, short stories are concise narratives that usually focus on a single incident or character, lacking the extensive development seen in novels. Poems, while they often convey strong emotions and imagery, do not generally rely on characters and plots in the same way that narrative forms like the novel do. Drama, though it also involves characters and plots, specifically refers to works written to be performed, typically focusing on dialogue and action, rather than the narrative depth found in novels. Therefore, the novel is the most appropriate answer given its qualities and structure.