单选题 There has been strong competition;______, the new company has made great profits.

A、 (A) instead
B、 (B) nonetheless
C、 (C) then
D、 (D) despite

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】Nonetheless is a conjunction that indicates an unexpected result. Choice (A) indicates a substitution. Choice (C) indicates sequence. Choice (D) indicates an unexpected result but must be followed by a noun phrase.