From the same passage on nuclear security, select the correct connective to fill the blank in the clause: "___________ the expansive declarations of the need 'to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials'...".

Introduction / Context:
This question builds on a passage about nuclear security summits and examines your understanding of contrast conjunctions and prepositions in English. The phrase mentions "expansive declarations" and then contrasts them with limited practical action, so the correct word must introduce a concessive contrast, similar to "in spite of".

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The fragment is: "___________ the expansive declarations of the need 'to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials'..."
• Options are: Inspite, Since, Despite, Despite of, Because of.
• The sentence that follows criticises the summits for narrowing their focus, indicating a contrast.
• We must choose the word that correctly shows contrast and fits grammatically before a noun phrase.

Concept / Approach:
In English, "despite" and "in spite of" are common ways to introduce a contrast. "Despite" is followed directly by a noun phrase or gerund, while "in spite of" is a three word expression. "Despite of" is incorrect. The word "since" introduces reason or time, and "because of" introduces reason, not contrast. Therefore, we must select a contrastive linking word correctly used with a noun phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the writer is contrasting "expansive declarations" with limited or narrow practical outcomes. Step 2: Recall that "despite" is used to mean "in spite of", showing that something happened although something else could have prevented it. Step 3: Consider the structure "Despite the expansive declarations...". This is perfectly grammatical and expresses the desired contrast. Step 4: Notice that "Inspite" is not correct spelling. The proper form is "in spite of", three separate words, which is not given exactly. Step 5: "Since the expansive declarations..." would express causation or time, not contrast, which does not match the idea of criticism. Step 6: "Despite of" is an incorrect combination; you should say either "despite" or "in spite of", never "despite of". Step 7: "Because of the expansive declarations..." would indicate that declarations caused the outcome, which again does not show the intended contrast. Step 8: Therefore, "Despite" is the only correct and idiomatic choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the idea in full: "Despite the expansive declarations of the need to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials, the summits narrowed their focus..." This clearly expresses that although leaders spoke strongly, their actions were limited. Replacing "Despite" with "Because of" or "Since" breaks this contrast and either expresses cause or time instead, confirming that "Despite" is the right answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Inspite: Incorrect spelling and incomplete form of the phrase "in spite of".
• Since: Used for cause or time (for example, "since yesterday" or "since they decided"), not for concession in this way.
• Despite of: Grammatically incorrect combination; "despite" should not be followed by "of".
• Because of: Introduces a reason, which is opposite to the intended idea of "even though there were declarations".

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse "despite" and "in spite of" and sometimes create hybrid forms like "despite of", which are always wrong. Another common error is to misinterpret contrast as cause and choose "because of". To avoid such mistakes, remember that "despite" and "in spite of" both show concession, while "because of" and "since" show cause. Focus on the logical relationship between the two parts of the sentence.

Final Answer:
The correct connective is Despite.