Meaning: 'Picture' means to visualize or imagine something in your mind, in this case, envisioning oneself as an athlete.

Wrong options:

• suppose: 'Suppose' implies a hypothetical situation but does not convey the act of visualization as effectively as 'picture'.
• conceive: 'Conceive' suggests forming an idea or plan but is less commonly used in the context of visualizing oneself in a scenario compared to 'picture'.
• presume: 'Presume' indicates an assumption made without proof, which does not fit the context of actively visualizing oneself.

Correct answer: safely

Explanation: The adverb 'safely' modifies the verb 'assume', indicating that the assumption can be made without risk or doubt. It fits contextually as it suggests a level of certainty in the assumption being made about wanting to win.

Meaning: 'Safely' means in a way that is free from danger or risk, implying that the assumption about wanting to win is a reasonable one.

Wrong options:

• soundly: 'Soundly' implies a strong or thorough manner but does not convey the sense of risk or certainty that 'safely' does.
• steadily: 'Steadily' suggests a consistent manner, which does not align with the context of making an assumption about winning.
• strongly: 'Strongly' indicates intensity but does not fit the context of making a safe assumption.

Correct answer: end

Explanation: The verb 'end' fits grammatically in the infinitive form 'to end up', which is a common phrase used to describe the outcome of a situation. It contextually aligns with the idea of preferring a specific placement in a competition.

Meaning: 'End' means to conclude or finish, and in this context, it refers to finishing in second place as a preferred outcome.

Wrong options:

• take: 'Take' does not fit the context of finishing in a competition as it implies a different action, not related to placement.
• come: 'Come' can imply finishing but is less precise than 'end up' in this context.
• make: 'Make' does not convey the idea of finishing or concluding a position in a competition.

Correct answer: suggests

Explanation: The verb 'suggests' fits grammatically as it indicates what the research indicates or implies. It aligns contextually with the idea of presenting findings or conclusions from the research.

Meaning: 'Suggests' means to put forward an idea or a proposal based on evidence, in this case, the findings of the research.

Wrong options:

• exposes: 'Exposes' implies revealing something hidden, which does not fit the context of presenting research findings.
• notifies: 'Notifies' means to inform someone, which does not align with the context of research conclusions.
• admits: 'Admits' suggests acknowledging something, which does not fit the context of presenting research findings.

Correct answer: characterised

Explanation: The word 'characterised' fits grammatically as a past participle, describing the nature of the 'Duchenne smile'. It aligns contextually with the definition of the smile, indicating what defines it.

Meaning: 'Characterised' means to describe the distinctive qualities or features of something, in this case, the smile's features.

Wrong options:

• featured: 'Featured' implies being presented prominently, which does not accurately describe the defining nature of the smile.
• constituted: 'Constituted' suggests forming or making up something, which does not fit the context of defining a characteristic.
• specified: 'Specified' means to state explicitly, which does not convey the idea of defining a characteristic as effectively as 'characterised'.