Complete the astronaut's frustrated logbook entry about a tech failure in space by choosing the correct words for each blank.

The space station's Wi-Fi refused to connect, however many times Commander Jenkins restarted the ancient router.

She still couldn't load her favorite cat videos despite flipping the main power switch off and on again.

The buffering circle of doom continued to mock her, whatever she did to boost the signal.

The correct answers are however, despite, and whatever.

However can be combined with adjectives or adverbs (like many times) to form a concessive clause meaning "no matter how."

Despite is a preposition that can be followed directly by a gerund (flipping). In spite is incorrect because it lacks the word of, and even though requires a full subject and verb.

Whatever acts as a pronoun here, meaning "no matter what." The distractor no matter is incorrect because it is missing the essential word what.