Step 1: Understanding the sentence.
The sentence begins with the word “Despite,” which signals a contrast — something negative happened first, but a positive outcome followed later. Therefore, the first blank should express a setback or difficulty, and the second blank should describe a successful or impressive result.
Step 2: Evaluating each option.
(A) failure — means lack of success; fits the “initial” difficulty implied.
(B) success — cannot fit because it conflicts with the contrast introduced by “Despite.”
(C) progress — implies improvement, not difficulty; doesn’t fit the contrast.
(D) obstacles — could fit the first blank, but grammatically “failure” sounds more natural before “of the project.”
(E) remarkable — means extraordinary or impressive; matches the positive outcome.
(F) modest — means limited or average; doesn’t convey strong success.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best fit is “failure” for the first blank (a negative start) and “remarkable” for the second blank (a positive result), creating a logical and meaningful contrast.
bigskip
Final Answer:
(A) failure and (E) remarkable
bigskip