Explanations:Conjunctions of contrast are used to connect two clauses that express opposing ideas. In the given sentence, "..... he is very young, he is truly a tennis star," the conjunction of contrast is needed to show that despite his young age, he is a tennis star. This relationship between the clauses is one of contrast, where one clause (his young age) is in opposition to the other (his status as a tennis star).
There are several conjunctions of contrast in English, including "although," "even though," "though," and "despite." Each of these conjunctions serves to highlight the contrast between the two clauses. However, it is important to note the specific usage and structure of each conjunction:
1. "Although" is a conjunction that can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting clause. It is followed by a clause, not a noun or a gerund. For example, "Although he is very young, he is truly a tennis star." This is the correct usage in the given sentence.
2. "Even though" is similar to "although" and can also be used to introduce a contrasting clause. For example, "Even though he is very young, he is truly a tennis star." This would also be correct, but "although" is more commonly used at the beginning of a sentence.
3. "Though" can be used as a conjunction of contrast, but it is less common at the beginning of a sentence. It is more often used at the end of a clause. For example, "He is truly a tennis star, though he is very young." This usage is correct but not applicable to the given sentence structure.
4. "Despite" is a preposition of contrast, not a conjunction. It is typically followed by a noun or a gerund, not a clause. For example, "Despite his youth, he is truly a tennis star." This would be correct, but the sentence structure does not allow for a preposition followed by a noun or gerund in this context.
5. "In spite of" is also a preposition of contrast, similar to "despite." It is followed by a noun or a gerund, not a clause. For example, "In spite of his youth, he is truly a tennis star." This would be correct, but again, the sentence structure does not allow for a preposition followed by a noun or gerund in this context.
Given the sentence structure and the need for a conjunction of contrast at the beginning of the sentence, "although" is the correct choice. It properly introduces the contrasting clause and maintains the logical flow of the sentence.