Meaning: 'In truth' means 'in reality' or 'actually,' suggesting that the following statement reflects a more accurate view of the situation.

Wrong options:

• for example: 'For example' introduces an illustration or instance, which does not align with the contrasting nature of the statement that follows.
• in addition: 'In addition' implies adding information, which does not fit the context of presenting a contrasting viewpoint about voter behavior.
• in return: 'In return' suggests a reciprocal action, which is irrelevant in this context where the focus is on the truth about voter influence.

Correct answer: as

Explanation: The word 'as' is used here to indicate the role or function of the candidates in the context of the students' perception, fitting grammatically as it connects the subject to the description of their appearance.

Meaning: 'As' in this context means 'in the capacity of' or 'in the role of,' indicating how the students perceived the candidates.

Wrong options:

• through: 'Through' suggests a means or method, which does not fit the grammatical structure needed to describe how the candidates were perceived.
• at: 'At' is a preposition that does not appropriately connect the subject to the description of the candidates' appearance.
• by: 'By' indicates the agent performing an action, which does not align with the intended meaning of describing the candidates' appearance.

Correct answer: being

Explanation: 'Being' functions as a gerund that introduces the implication of the previous statement, fitting grammatically as it describes the state or condition of voters being influenced by appearance.

Meaning: 'Being' refers to the state of existing or occurring, indicating that the implication is about the influence of candidates' appearance on voters.

Wrong options:

• is: 'Is' is a present tense verb that does not fit the grammatical structure needed to convey the ongoing implication of the influence.
• was: 'Was' is a past tense verb that does not align with the present context of the implication being discussed.
• having: 'Having' suggests possession or experience, which does not appropriately convey the state of the implication regarding voter influence.

Correct answer: correlate

Explanation: 'Correlate' is a verb that indicates a mutual relationship or connection between two things, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the relationship between appearance and competence.

Meaning: 'Correlate' means to show a relationship or connection between two variables, in this case, appearance and competence.

Wrong options:

• overlap: 'Overlap' suggests a physical or conceptual covering, which does not accurately describe the relationship intended in the context of appearance and competence.
• cooperate: 'Cooperate' implies working together towards a common goal, which is not relevant to the discussion of the relationship between appearance and competence.
• diverge: 'Diverge' means to separate or differ, which contradicts the intended meaning of a relationship between the two concepts.