An extended fictional narrative which is realistic is known as a

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term for an extended (long) fictional narrative that is realistic (true to life in its characters, settings and events).

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Short story: A brief fictional narrative, usually focused on a single incident or character. It is not extended.
• Diary: A personal, dated record of real events and thoughts. It is not a fictional narrative.
• Novella: A fictional work longer than a short story but shorter than a full novel (roughly 20,000-40,000 words). It is considered medium length, not fully extended.
• Novel: A long, extended prose narrative with a developed plot, many characters, and a realistic portrayal of life and society. Examples include Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and The Lion and the Jewel (a play, so not a novel), but Second-Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta is a novel.

Step 3: Apply the definition

• Extended: this rules out the short story, and the novella is shorter than the novel.
• Fictional: this rules out the diary.
• Realistic: the novel is traditionally associated with realistic depiction of human life and society.

Step 4: Answer The term that fits all three features is the novel.

Exam tip: Remember the length order: short story < novella < novel. If the question says "extended" or "full-length" prose fiction, think novel. If it says "shorter than a novel but longer than a short story", think novella.