Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 23 to 27.

Welcome  to  the  Netherlands,  a  tiny  country  that  only  extends,  at  its  broadest,  312  km  north  to south, and 264 km east to west - (23) _________ the land area increases slightly each year as a result of continuous land reclamation and drainage. With a lot of heart and much to offer, ‘Holland,’ as it is (24) _________ known to most of us abroad - a name stemming from its once most prominent provinces - has more  going  on  per  kilometer  than  most  countries,  and  more  English-speaking  natives.  You’ll  be impressed  by  its  (25)  _________  cities  and  charmed  by  its  countryside  and  villages,  full  of  contrasts. From the exciting variety on offer, you could choose a romantic canal boat tour in Amsterdam, a Royal Tour by coach in The Hague, or a hydrofoil tour around the biggest harbour in the world - Rotterdam. In season you could visit the dazzling bulb fields, enjoy a full day on a boat, or take a bike tour through the pancake-flat countryside spiced with windmills. The possibilities are countless and the nationwide tourist office  is  on  hand  to  give  you  information  and  help  you  (26)  _________reservations.  You’ll  have  (27) _________language  problems  here,  as  the  Dutch  are  true  linguists  and  English  is  spoken  here  almost 
universally.

• A. 
  so
• B. 
  despite
• C. 
  in spite of
• D. 
  although