Question

In which sentence does the underlined noun clause contain an introductory word that has no function within the clause?

Answer 1

The correct answer is: The miners believed that they could find gold quickly.

The introductory word that has no function within the clause is THAT. In this case, it is a conjunction - that is a function word with little or no lexical meaning, which only functions as a glue to hold two clauses together.

The other sentences don't have such words. Their introductory words (whoever, whatever, which) have functions within clauses.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: The miners believed that they could find gold quickly.