The correct answer to which statement best describes reporter Adam Ellick's point of view is: Malala displays the characteristics of both a capable activist and a bright young girl.
According to the passage, the reporter is surprised with Malala's contrasting aspects. "Here is this girl that can go from being at a negotiating table, a high-level diplomatic meeting, but she also wanted ice cream", he says, expressing his opinion about Malala's personality, which carried out both a capable activist who was able to participate in diplomatic meeting and a bright young girl, who just wanted ice cream and who was curious about the American culture. Therefore, the correct answer to which statement best describes Ellick's point of view about Malala is that Malala displays the characteristics of both a capable activist and a bright young girl.
The correct answer couldn't be the first one "Malala is wise beyond her years and should not waste time on pop culture or television", because, in the passage, it can be observed that the reporter finds it funny how, at the same time the girl can be very intelligent and debate adult issues, and also be a common girl interested in ice cream and sitcoms. Ellick has a positive reaction to her demands and interests, although he would like her to be interested in documentaries instead of sitcoms because he understands that she also lives typical girl experiences. He says "I kept telling myself, 'I know you want her to want to watch a documentary about Sierra Leone but she is just a girl" while laughing. Thus, the correct answer couldn't be that Malala is wise beyond her years and should not waste time on pop culture or television.
The correct answer couldn't be the third one "Malala should not attend diplomatic meetings because she is a young girl", because Ellick explicitly comments on the fact that she can go from being at a diplomatic meeting to wanting ice cream. So, he thinks that she can carry out both aspects of her personality. Therefore, the answer couldn't be that Malala should not attend diplomatic meetings because she is a young girl.
The correct answer couldn't be the fourth one "Malala should focus on the joys of childhood instead of difficult and dangerous adult issues" for the same reasons as the previous explanation. The reporter believes both characteristics are part of the girl: focusing on the joys of childhood and on difficult adult issues. During this passage, he doesn't diminish her or states that she should only be dealt with as an innocent girl. On the contrary, it surprises him that she sometimes behaves like a common girl, because he expects from her to behave like the same girl he sees in diplomatic meetings. So, the correct answer couldn't be that Malala should focus on the joys of childhood instead of difficult and dangerous adult issues.