The correct answer is option 1) i.e. Although Key Points Let's look at the following points- In the given context, the underlined word Despite will be replaced with Although. When the subject (i.e Ram) and verb (i.e failed) are given, ‘although’ will be used, while noun/pronoun is used after ‘despite’, not a clause/sentence. E.g. His tone made her smile despite her anxiety. Additional Information Despite is never followed by 'of'. In spite of and despite have a similar meaning to although or even though. Despite is a little more formal than in spite of. ​E.g. They went out in spite of the rain. The correct sentence – Ram failed although he had worked very hard for the exams.