Meaning: 'Contentious' means causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Wrong options:

• publicizing: Publicizing means making something widely known, which does not fit the context of describing the nature of voting rights.
• practical: Practical refers to something that is sensible or realistic, which does not convey the idea of disagreement or controversy inherent in the context.
• attaching: Attaching means to join or fasten something, which is unrelated to the discussion of voting rights and their nature.
• concerning: Concerning means relating to or about something, but it does not capture the contentious nature of the voting rights issue.

Correct answer: concerning

Explanation: The word 'concerning' is a preposition that indicates the subject matter being discussed, which in this case is who can vote. It fits grammatically and contextually as it introduces the topic of voting rights without specifying details.

Meaning: 'Concerning' means relating to or about something.

Wrong options:

• publicizing: Publicizing does not fit as it refers to making something known, which is not relevant to the stipulations of voting rights.
• practical: Practical does not relate to the subject matter of voting rights and does not fit grammatically in this context.
• varying: Varying is an adjective that describes differences, which does not appropriately introduce the subject of who can vote.
• attaching: Attaching does not relate to the context of voting rights and does not fit grammatically.

Correct answer: varying

Explanation: The term 'varying' is an adjective that indicates differences in degrees of success among the states in limiting voting. It fits both grammatically and contextually, as it describes the inconsistent efforts made by states.

Meaning: 'Varying' means differing in size, amount, degree, or nature.

Wrong options:

• publicizing: Publicizing does not fit as it refers to making something known, which does not relate to the degrees of success in limiting voting.
• practical: Practical does not convey the idea of differences in success and is not appropriate in this context.
• contentious: Contentious describes something controversial, which does not fit the context of describing degrees of success.
• attaching: Attaching does not relate to the context of voting rights and does not fit grammatically.