Here are the suggested options for filling in the blanks based on standard English usage:

23. **Despite the fact that** ___ enjoyed our trip.
**Correct option:** b. it is a bad weather

24. **Julie failed the exam** ___
**Correct option:** a. despite

25. **Tom went to work despite** ___
**Correct option:** d. of the fact not feeling well

26. **In spite** ___
**Correct option:** a. the bad weather, the plan landed safely.

27. **In spite** ___
**Correct option:** b. in spite of

28. **Despite** ___
**Correct option:** a. because of

29. **They were** ___
**Correct option:** a. careless

30. **Though** ___
**Correct option:** b. they are good friends.

31. **Despite** ___
**Correct option:** c. the traffic

32. **John rarely sees Paul** ___
**Correct option:** b. although

33. **It was very cold** ___
**Correct option:** d. even though

34. **Gannon was a high-performing midfielder** ___
**Correct option:** a. in spite of

35. **Despite** ___
**Correct option:** a. he is the boss, he does not find solutions to problems very easily.

36. **Although** ___
**Correct option:** c. Nonetheless

37. **Even if** ___
**Correct option:** a. the players' soreness

38. **... the fact that players were sore** ___
**Correct option:** b. Despite

39. **In spite** ___
**Correct option:** d. and

40. **However** ___
**Correct option:** a. you are, I still love you.

41. **Whatever** ___
**Correct option:** b. However

42. **... have worked overtime for weeks** ___
**Correct option:** c. Despite

43. **In spite** ___
**Correct option:** d. of his intelligence

44. **... the plane took off late** ___
**Correct option:** b. In spite

45. **He had a terrible cold** ___
**Correct option:** d. but

Feel free to adjust as necessary!