Question

in 2017, nasa selected 12 new astronauts from more than 18,000 applicants. despite two years of training, the new astronauts became eligible for missions to the international space station and the moon. does not effectively link the two ideas effectively links the two ideas

Explanation:

The first part is about NASA selecting astronauts, and the second part is about their eligibility after training. The word "Despite" is used inappropriately as there is no contrast - like a failure in training affecting eligibility - between the two statements. It does not effectively link the ideas.

Answer:

Does not effectively link the two ideas