20. Our new neighbors are quite nice _______ they are sometimes talkative. a. despite b. in spite of the fact c. though d. as though 21._______ of the difficulty, they managed to climb to the top of the mountain. a. In spite b. Despite c. But d. Although 22. Despite _______, we knew that he was guilty. a. denied b. denying c. he denied d. his denial 23. Despite the fact that _______, we enjoyed our trip. a. the weather is bad b. it is a bad weather c. the bad weather d. the weather was bad 24. Julie failed the exam _______ of working very hard. a. despite b. in spite c. even if d. though 25. Tom went to work despite _______. a. that he did not feel very well b. of the fact not feeling well c. he did not feel very well d. not feeling very well 26. _______ his exhaustion, he won the marathon by nearly three minutes. A. In spite B. Despite C. Although D. However 27. ______ the bad weather, the plan landed safely. A. in spite B. in spite of C. despite the fact that D. though 28. _______ it was raining hard, he went out without a raincoat. A. Despite B. In spite of C. However D. Although 29. They were sacked _____ their carelessness. A. because B. because of C. although D. despite 30. Some workers are so poor that they don’t want to quit their job _______ they are ill- treated A. as though B. since C. although D. if