Question #N1201

The author was particularly interested in the _way_ that his characters responded to their changing environments. He believed that the _way_ characters responded could help readers understand the deeper meanings of the story.

Which choice best combines the two underlined portions of the text into a single, correct sentence?
A. The author was particularly interested in the way that his characters responded to their changing environments, and characters responding could help readers understand the deeper meanings of the story.
B. The author was particularly interested in the way his characters responded to their changing environments, which could help readers understand the deeper meanings of the story.
C. The author was particularly interested in how his characters responded to their changing environments, which could help readers understand the deeper meanings of the story.
D. The author was particularly interested in how his characters responded to their changing environments, and how characters responded could help readers understand the deeper meanings of the story.