Fill in the blanks with the correct options from those given in the brackets. The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/ she comes across as a _____ (stranger/guide) who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take _____ (interest in/control of) his/her own future. The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is _____. (talking directly to the reader/addressing the reader from a distance)
(1) guide
(2) control of
(3) talking directly to the reader
Explanation
The speaker acts as a 'guide' rather than a stranger because they understand the struggle and encourage the reader. The poem emphasizes personal responsibility ('Facing challenges requires personal responsibility'), so the speaker encourages the reader to take 'control of' their future. Finally, the direct address 'You' creates a close connection, making it feel as though the speaker is 'talking directly to the reader' rather than addressing them from a distance.