Here's why:
* The vowel sound in "bench" is a short "e" sound. It sounds like the "e" in "bed" or "pen."
* Long vowels are typically associated with a vowel sound that is held for a longer duration. This is often indicated in spelling by a vowel followed by a silent "e" (like in "make" or "bike") or by a vowel with a double consonant (like in "tree" or "food").
Therefore, "bench" has a short vowel sound, not a long one.