Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Question

Mount Everest in the Himalaya Mountain range stands 29,053 feet is still growing, gaining about 4 mm of height a year. ___ its immense height, Everest is not the Earth's tallest mountain. That distinction goes to Mount Kea, which rises 33,500 feet when accounting for the nearly 20,000 feet of elevation that hides below sea level.

Which could be placed in the blank to show a contrast between Mount Everest and Mount Kea?
A. Despite
B. In addition to
C. In similar fashion to
D. Because of

Answer 1

The best word to place in the blank to show a contrast between Mount Everest and Mount Kea is:

A. Despite

So the sentence would read: "Despite its immense height, Everest is not the Earth's tallest mountain."