Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

B1 Grammar Lesson ⏱️ 12 Minutes

Grammar: Despite, In Spite Of, and Although

Learn how to join two contrasting facts smoothly using scenic mountain train journeys.

📌 How to use this lesson

👨‍🏫 For the Teacher

Use this 12-minute lesson to practice contrast linkers. Check answers together after students complete each section.

🎓 For the Learner

Read the four simple rule cards carefully first. Then complete the 12 practice exercises from easy to hard.

Grammar Rule Cards

Read how each word works before starting the practice activities.

Rule 1: Noun or Noun Phrase

Use despite and in spite of before a noun or a noun phrase. They mean the same thing and never take a full clause. Remember that in spite of has three words, and despite never takes of.

Example A

Despite the snowy weather, the train runs every day.

Example B

The train runs every day in spite of the ice on the rail.

Example C

In spite of the fog, the pilot landed on time.

Rule 2: Action Words (-ing Form)

You can put an -ing form after despite or in spite of when both parts of the sentence are about the same person or thing. If they are about different things, use although and a whole sentence.

Example A

Despite climbing the steep hillside, the locomotive kept a steady speed.

Example B

He enjoyed the ride in spite of sitting in a cold compartment.

Example C

Despite working all night, he was not tired.

Rule 3: Full Clauses with Although

Put a whole sentence right after although. Never use just a noun after although. Do not use although and but in the same sentence.

Example A

Although the zigzag path was very slow, it was safe.

Example B

The passengers stayed in their compartment although the view was great.

Example C

Although the room was small, it felt friendly.

Rule 4: Sentence Positions & Commas

The contrast part can come at the start or at the end of a sentence. When it comes first, place a comma right after it. When it comes second, do not use a comma before it.

Example A (Start + Comma)

In spite of the sharp spiral tunnel, the train moved smoothly.

Example B (End + No Comma)

The train stopped at the lookout although the panorama was covered in mist.

Example C (End + No Comma)

The festival was great although it rained on the first day.

💡

Pattern Example

"Although it was foggy, the view from the train was lovely."

Notice how two opposite facts fit together: bad weather on one side, a great train journey on the other!

A red vintage steam train locomotive pulling passenger carriages up a steep snowy mountain hillside along a winding ledg

Scenic mountain railways use clever engineering to climb steep hillsides.

Practice Activities (12 Items)

Test your knowledge from basic sentence checks to error fixing!

Part 1: Choose the Correct Sentence

1. Choose the correct sentence. (contrast)

____ a. Despite the cold wind, the train arrived at the lookout on time. ____ b. Despite of the cold wind, the train arrived at the lookout on time.

2. Choose the correct sentence. (contrast)

____ a. Although the narrow track, the locomotive moved safely up the hillside. ____ b. Although the track was narrow, the locomotive moved safely up the hillside.

3. Choose the correct sentence with proper punctuation. (contrast)

____ a. In spite of the snowy ledge the train slowed down before the spiral tunnel. ____ b. In spite of the snowy ledge, the train slowed down before the spiral tunnel.

Part 2: Sentence Rewrite

4. Join these two sentences into one using although. (contrast)

"The locomotive climbed easily. The zigzag path was very steep." Start with "The locomotive".

Why this works: Put 'although' in the middle, then a whole sentence. You do not need a comma before it.

____ (Type your combined sentence here...)

5. Join these two sentences into one using despite and an -ing word. (contrast)

"The train climbed the steep hillside. It kept a steady speed."

Why this works: Use 'Despite' + '-ing' form ('climbing') when both parts share the subject.

____ (Type your combined sentence here...)

6. Join these two sentences into one using in spite of. (contrast)

"The weather was snowy at the lookout. We enjoyed the clear panorama."

Why this works: Follow 'in spite of' with a noun phrase ('the snowy weather at the lookout').

____ (Type your combined sentence here...)

Part 3: Fill the Gap

7. Complete the gap. (contrast)

" crossing the narrow ledge, the train moved safely."

____ a. Despite ____ b. Despite of ____ c. Although

8. Complete the gap. (contrast)

" the train entered the dark spiral tunnel, passengers kept looking out the window."

____ a. In spite of ____ b. Although ____ c. In spite

9. Complete the gap. (contrast)

" having a clear panorama from the lookout, we stayed inside the warm compartment."

____ a. Despite of ____ b. In spite of ____ c. In spite

Part 4: Correct the Error in a Message

10. Choose the correct version of this text message. (contrast)

💬 Message from Friend: "Hey! Despite of the ice on the rail, our train is moving fast!"

____ a. "Hey! Despite the ice on the rail, our train is moving fast!" ____ b. "Hey! In spite the ice on the rail, our train is moving fast!" ____ c. "Hey! Although the ice on the rail, our train is moving fast!"

11. Choose the correct version of this text message. (contrast)

💬 Message from Friend: "We are at the lookout! Although the heavy snow, the panorama is amazing."

____ a. "We are at the lookout! Although the heavy snow, the panorama is amazing." ____ b. "We are at the lookout! Although it is snowing heavily, the panorama is amazing." ____ c. "We are at the lookout! Despite of the heavy snow, the panorama is amazing."

12. Choose the correct version of this text message. (contrast)

💬 Message from Friend: "Hey! Despite the snow on the zigzag track our train is on time!"

____ a. "Hey! Despite of the snow on the zigzag track, our train is on time!" ____ b. "Hey! Although the snow on the zigzag track, our train is on time!" ____ c. "Hey! Despite the snow on the zigzag track, our train is on time!"

Grammar: Despite, In Spite Of, and Although

Grammar: Despite, In Spite Of, and Although

👨‍🏫 For the Teacher

🎓 For the Learner

Grammar Rule Cards

Rule 1: Noun or Noun Phrase

Rule 2: Action Words (-ing Form)

Rule 3: Full Clauses with Although

Rule 4: Sentence Positions & Commas

Pattern Example

Practice Activities (12 Items)

Related lessons

Reading: The Historic Semmering Railway

IELTS Speaking: Mountain Railways and Scenic Journeys

Mountain Railways: Vocabulary and Pronunciation

Writing Task 1: Mountain Railway Data

Zero and First Conditionals and Time Clauses

Quantifiers with Countable and Uncountable Nouns