Which of the following words fits best in the following sentence? ___________ having finished her coursework, Lorene expects to spend another year on campus.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Despite.' 'Despite' is the best word to use in the sentence because it shows a contrast between Lorene having finished her coursework and her expectation to spend another year on campus. The word 'Despite' signals that there is an unexpected or contrary situation, emphasizing the contradiction between the two parts of the sentence. 'Although' (choice B) introduces a contrast but is not as strong as 'Despite' in highlighting the contradiction. 'Thus' (choice C) and 'However' (choice D) do not convey the intended contrast needed in this context, making them incorrect choices.
Nokea