Hardly any of the seminars

[keannu]

I think b is the only answer logically, but I wonder about the underlined. I'm not familiar with this phrase, does it mean "Any of the seminars had hardly been attended"? Is this inversed form possible?

Q. Hardly any of the seminars had been attended, _b_ the organizers grew worried about the outcome of the convention.
a)if
b)so
c)but
d)while

[Barb_D]

Hardly any = very few/very little

I have hardly any cash left = I have very little cash left.
I have hardly any Snickers, but more Almond Joys than I can count = I have very few Snickers.

[5jj]

does it mean "Any of the seminars had hardly been attended"? No
Is this inversed form possible? No

5