Meaning: Control refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events, in this case, the management of contracts.

Wrong options:

• visit: Visit is a verb that means to go see someone or something, which does not fit the context of losing management over contracts.
• compete: Compete is a verb that means to strive to gain or win something, which does not fit as it does not relate to the loss of management.
• research: Research is a noun or verb that refers to the systematic investigation into a subject, which does not relate to the context of contracts.
• means: Means is a noun that refers to a method or way of doing something, which does not fit the context of losing control over contracts.
• accounts: Accounts is a noun that typically refers to financial records or narratives, which does not fit the context of losing management over contracts.

Correct answer: means

Explanation: The word 'means' serves as a noun that indicates a method or way of doing something. In this context, it suggests that international competition creates a necessity for companies to adapt, which fits grammatically and contextually with the sentence structure.

Meaning: Means refers to a method or way of achieving something, in this case, the implications of international competition.

Wrong options:

• visit: Visit is a verb that does not fit in this context as it does not relate to the implications of competition.
• compete: Compete is a verb that does not fit grammatically as it does not serve as a subject or noun in this context.
• research: Research is a noun or verb that does not relate to the implications of competition and does not fit grammatically.
• control: Control is a noun that refers to the power to manage something, which does not fit the context of indicating the implications of competition.
• accounts: Accounts is a noun that refers to financial records, which does not fit the context of discussing competition.

Correct answer: compete

Explanation: The word 'compete' is a verb that fits grammatically as it describes the action that companies must take under difficult conditions. The context indicates that companies are required to engage in competition, which aligns with the overall message of the sentence.

Meaning: Compete means to strive against others to achieve a goal, in this case, to succeed in the market despite challenges.

Wrong options:

• visit: Visit is a verb that means to go see someone or something, which does not fit the context of companies taking action.
• means: Means is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe an action that companies take.
• research: Research is a noun or verb that does not relate to the action of companies in a competitive environment.
• control: Control is a noun that does not fit as it does not describe an action that companies undertake.
• accounts: Accounts is a noun that refers to financial records, which does not fit the context of companies engaging in competition.