Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold.…

Concept: "Formulate" means to devise, draft, or express something in a careful, systematic way — especially a rule, plan, policy, or statement. Its closest single-word synonym is a verb that also means "to devise or draw up" something new.

Applying it here: Among the options, "frame" carries exactly this sense — as in "to frame rules," "to frame a policy," or "to frame a plan" — matching "formulate"'s core meaning of devising or drafting something.

Why the other options don't fit:

• "regularize" means to make something conform to a rule or standard already in place — that is about enforcing existing regularity, not creating something new.

• "contemplate" means to think about or consider something deeply — a reflective, mental act, not an act of drafting or creating.

• "apply" means to put something into practical use — it presupposes the thing already exists; it does not mean to devise or create it.

So "frame" is the closest match to "formulate."