The correct answer should be D. Let me explain:

With increasing public concern about carbon emissions, European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.

Here the rest of the sentence is the key to selecting the correct option. We are told about "negative criticism". Basically, the government is continuing its agenda to open 50 coal plants (which would emit more carbon), and responding to the "public concern" by promising the use of "cleaner coal" that uses technologies that don't even exist yet.
So, the first clause should use a contrast word. With this in mind, let's look at the options.

(A) With
With is grammatically correct but not correct in the intended meaning. We need a contrast word.NO.

(B) In
In also modifies the meaning by possibly suggesting that the actions of the European countries are causing "increasing public concern". NO.

(C) Through
Again, "Through" is not contrasting. Instead, it modifies the meaning as if to say that Europeans are making use of "public concerns" to further their cause of opening 50 coal plants. NO.

(D) Despite
Ah. Finally a contrast word. And the correct one too. The meaning is correct, since despite the public concern about emissions, the Euro nations are still going ahead with the plan. CORRECT.

(E) Although
A contrast word. Excellent. But alas, it is not the intended meaning. This seems to suggest as if European countries are the ones "increasing the public concern". NO.

This was a good example of a sentence in which meaning is tested.

Let me know if this helps

Perfect Explanation

OA is D

karthikpandian19 wrote:With increasing public concern about carbon emissions, European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.


(A) With

(B) In

(C) Through

(D) Despite

(E) Although

one more way xplaind by ashujain b4 for other sentence,

though, although, eventhough- used when first part is negative and then positive
despite used when first positive and then negative!!

@jimmyjimmy

I couldn't understand your explanation of positive and negative.

"Contrast" is all about with these conjunctions, so if the positive or negative sentence comes in first or second part does it matter?????

jimmyjimmy wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:With increasing public concern about carbon emissions, European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.


(A) With

(B) In

(C) Through

(D) Despite

(E) Although

one more way xplaind by ashujain b4 for other sentence,

though, although, eventhough- used when first part is negative and then positive
despite used when first positive and then negative!!

karthikpandian19 wrote:@jimmyjimmy

I couldn't understand your explanation of positive and negative.

"Contrast" is all about with these conjunctions, so if the positive or negative sentence comes in first or second part does it matter?????

jimmyjimmy wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:With increasing public concern about carbon emissions,European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.


(A) With

(B) In

(C) Through

(D) Despite

(E) Although

one more way xplaind by ashujain b4 for other sentence,

though, although, eventhough- used when first part is negative and then positive
despite used when first positive and then negative!!

I used to be very confused when it comes to the usage of 'Although', 'Even though' and 'Despite' but it's quite clear to me now. Let me explain how it becomes easy for me:
'Although' and 'Even though' are used when in negative circumstances, something positive happens.
Format: Although <negative circumstance>, <Positive outcome>
Ex: Although it was raining, we went to movies.
'Even though' is extreme 'Although'
Ex: Even though it was raining very heavily, we went to movies.

'Despite' is used when in positive circumstance, something negative happens.
Format: Despite <positive circumstance>, <negative outcome>
Ex: Despite X's huge wealth, his/hers life is a misery.
-ashujain (courtesy),.,.

This sentence has a problem with sentence logic. The original sentence contrasts a condition (increasing public concern) to the response it gets (new coal plants). The implication is that this response is very surprising. With in the original sentence does not suggest that there is a contrast between the public concern and the countries' plans. We need a choice which indicates this contrast.

Choice B is also illogical: In suggests location or inclusion, not contrast.

In choice C, Through implies that the plans for new coal plants are a result of increasing public concern about carbon emissions. Such a response is unlikely, however; coal plants increase carbon emissions.

In choice D, Despite correctly contrasts increasing public concern with action of the European countries.

In choice E, although appropriately indicates contrast but it changes the sense of the sentence, and makes it seem as if countries are increasing the public concern. The point of the sentence, however, is that the public concern is already increasing, and that despite this, countries are planning to open more coal plants.

The correct answer is D.

jimmyjimmy wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:@jimmyjimmy

I couldn't understand your explanation of positive and negative.

"Contrast" is all about with these conjunctions, so if the positive or negative sentence comes in first or second part does it matter?????

jimmyjimmy wrote:

karthikpandian19 wrote:With increasing public concern about carbon emissions,European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.


(A) With

(B) In

(C) Through

(D) Despite

(E) Although

one more way xplaind by ashujain b4 for other sentence,

though, although, eventhough- used when first part is negative and then positive
despite used when first positive and then negative!!

I used to be very confused when it comes to the usage of 'Although', 'Even though' and 'Despite' but it's quite clear to me now. Let me explain how it becomes easy for me:
'Although' and 'Even though' are used when in negative circumstances, something positive happens.
Format: Although <negative circumstance>, <Positive outcome>
Ex: Although it was raining, we went to movies.
'Even though' is extreme 'Although'
Ex: Even though it was raining very heavily, we went to movies.

'Despite' is used when in positive circumstance, something negative happens.
Format: Despite <positive circumstance>, <negative outcome>
Ex: Despite X's huge wealth, his/hers life is a misery.
-ashujain (courtesy),.,.