1. Although he has a very important job, he isn't particularly well-paid.

In spite of having a very important job, he isn't particularly well-paid.  

1. Although I had never seen her before, I recognized her from a photograph.  

Despite having never seen her before, I recognized her from a photograph.

1. She wasn't wearing the coat although it was quite cold.

In spite of the cold weather, she wasn't wearing the coat.  

1. We thought we'd better invite them to the party although we don't like them very much

Despite not liking them very much, we thought we'd better invite them to the party.  

1. Although I didn't speak the language, I managed to make myself understand.

In spite of not speaking the language, I managed to make myself understand.  

1. Although the heat was on, the room wasn't warm.

Despite the heat being on, the room wasn't warm.

1. I didn't recognize her although I'd met her twice before.

In spite of having met her twice before, I didn't recognize her.