Which word or phrase would most logically connect go into the blank in this sentence?
a) similarly
b) in addition,
c) coincidentally,
d) in direct contrast

a large number of teachers wanted school to begin a little earlier this year so that the school calendar could incorporate a three-day fall break. an even larger number of parents and students opposed this proposal and even recommended that school start even later next year.

The answer to your question would be the following one: In direct contrast. That is, your answer would be D.

Explanation:

By/in contrast is used when you are comparing two things or people and saying that the second one is very different from the first. In this case, the phrase is used to highlight the differences between the two proposals: the one by the teachers and the ones by the parents and the students. The second motion proposal is completely different from the first since it states that the school should start later the following year while the first one recommends to beggin earlier the current year.

Grant watches him carefully and asks if Jefferson is trying to make him feel guilty so that Grant will leave him alone. He says white men think Jefferson's situation is hopeless. Jefferson does not respond. Grant wants to ask Jefferson what he is thinking about, but he stifles the impulse.