What does historical data suggest about the relationship between short$-$term and long$-$term interest rates?

Multiple choice question.

Short$-$term interest rates are always higher than long$-$term interest rates.

Short$-$term interest rates are equal to the long$-$term interest rates.

Sometimes, short$-$term interest rates are higher and, sometimes, long$-$term interest rates are higher.

Long$-$term interest rates are always higher than short$-$term interest rates.