单选题 The project has to be put off ______ lack of finance.
A. despite B. in spite of C. prior to D. due to

【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】考查短语辨析。despite介词，“不管，尽管”；in spite of“不管”；prior to“在前，居先”；due to“由于，应归于”。