The correct answer is 抱えて (kakaete). The verb 抱える (kakaeru) has two main meanings. The first is to physically hold or carry something in one's arms, like a large box or a baby (箱を抱える - hako o kakaeru). The second, more abstract meaning is to be burdened with something negative, such as problems (問題 - mondai), worries (悩み - nayami), or, as in this context, debt (借金 - shakkin). The sentence implies a heavy, burdensome situation ('a huge amount of debt'), which makes 抱える the most fitting verb as it carries the nuance of struggling with a heavy load, whether physical or metaphorical. Common Mistakes / Nuances: ❌ : 持って is the te-form of 持つ (motsu), the general verb for 'to have' or 'to hold'. While you can say お金を持つ (okane o motsu - to have money), using 持つ for a burdensome concept like 'debt' is less common and lacks the nuance of struggle. 持つ simply states possession or the act of holding, whereas 抱える emphasizes being weighed down by the problem. In a sentence describing a serious burden, 抱える is the more natural and evocative choice. ❌ : 担いで is the te-form of 担ぐ (katsugu), which means 'to carry on one's shoulder'. This verb is used almost exclusively for carrying physical objects, such as a backpack (リュックを担ぐ - ryukku o katsugu) or a portable shrine (神輿を担ぐ - omikoshi o katsugu). It is completely inappropriate for abstract concepts like problems or debt, as you cannot physically carry them on your shoulder. ❌ : 含んで is the te-form of 含む (fukumu), which means 'to contain' or 'to include'. This verb is used when something is a component or part of a larger whole. For example, この値段は税金を含んでいます (Kono nedan wa zeikin o fukunde imasu - This price includes tax) or 水を口に含む (mizu o kuchi ni fukumu - to hold water in one's mouth). It describes composition, not the act of being burdened by a problem, so it does not fit the context at all.

正解は「抱えて」です。動詞「抱える」には、主に二つの意味があります。一つは、箱や赤ちゃんなどを腕で物理的に持つという意味です（例：箱を抱える）。もう一つは、より抽象的な意味で、問題、悩み、そしてこの文脈で使われている「借金」のような、好ましくないものを負担として持つという意味です。文は「多額の借金」という重く、厄介な状況を示唆しているため、物理的・比喩的にかかわらず「重いものを苦労して持つ」というニュアンスを持つ「抱える」が最も適切な動詞です。 Common Mistakes / Nuances: ❌ : 持って is the te-form of 持つ (motsu), the general verb for 'to have' or 'to hold'. While you can say お金を持つ (okane o motsu - to have money), using 持つ for a burdensome concept like 'debt' is less common and lacks the nuance of struggle. 持つ simply states possession or the act of holding, whereas 抱える emphasizes being weighed down by the problem. In a sentence describing a serious burden, 抱える is the more natural and evocative choice. ❌ : 担いで is the te-form of 担ぐ (katsugu), which means 'to carry on one's shoulder'. This verb is used almost exclusively for carrying physical objects, such as a backpack (リュックを担ぐ - ryukku o katsugu) or a portable shrine (神輿を担ぐ - omikoshi o katsugu). It is completely inappropriate for abstract concepts like problems or debt, as you cannot physically carry them on your shoulder. ❌ : 含んで is the te-form of 含む (fukumu), which means 'to contain' or 'to include'. This verb is used when something is a component or part of a larger whole. For example, この値段は税金を含んでいます (Kono nedan wa zeikin o fukunde imasu - This price includes tax) or 水を口に含む (mizu o kuchi ni fukumu - to hold water in one's mouth). It describes composition, not the act of being burdened by a problem, so it does not fit the context at all.