<span id="docs-internal-guid-afaa4e6b-7fff-8024-a431-29d0068c7374"><p dir="ltr">Let’s focus on the noun clause, “________ many guests would be present at the dinner.” The blank should be filled with a subordinating conjunction that can start a noun clause. </p><p dir="ltr">(B) "how" is the correct answer. "how" is the question word that can start a noun clause. The word "how" is used here to inquire about the quantity or extent of something, in this case, the number of guests</p><p dir="ltr">(D) "what" may serve as a question word to start a noun clause, but its meaning doesn’t fit the context of the noun clause. "what" is typically used to ask for information specifying something, but it does not suit this context where the inquiry is about a quantity.</p><p dir="ltr">(A) "about" and (C) "concerning" are eliminated because they are both prepositions. </p></span>