Have a look at this Power Point Presentation to review the grammar: INFINITIVE_GERUND
And then you can do these exercises: INFINITIVE_AND_ING
AVANZADO – LISTENINGS
Have a look at this page – Listenings B2 – I hope you find it useful
INTERMEDIATE – LISTENING
Have a look at this page. Listenings – B1. I hope you find it useful.
ALL GROUPS – INTERMEDIATE II
Please, have a look at these exercises, they may be useful.
ADVANCED I – ALL GROUPS
Have a look at these examples:
In spite of / despite the heavy traffic, we got there on time.
In spite of / despite the traffic being heavy, we got there on time.
In spite of / despite the fact that he is much older than the others, he won the race.
In spite of / despite being much older than the others, he won the race.
I hope they help you understand the use of these connecting words.