Question #N762

In the early 1900s, the United States saw a surge in interest in the natural world, especially in its wild places. A new movement arose called the ‘wilderness movement.’ This movement, which focused on the preservation of areas untouched by human development, was led by people who believed that nature had intrinsic value. The movement was also inspired by a growing sense that the modern world was losing something essential—a connection to the natural world. However, while the wilderness movement’s goals are still championed today, the movement’s approach to preserving wild places has become more nuanced in recent years. The word ‘wilderness,’ which once denoted a pristine and untamed landscape, has now become more complex, and its meaning has become more contested. Many people today argue that ‘wilderness’ is not a place that is completely free of human influence. The concept of the ‘wilderness’ has changed, but the underlying values of the wilderness movement remain unchanged. The word ‘wilderness’ has evolved, but the movement’s fundamental goals continue to resonate. What is the best way to combine sentences 10 and 11?

Which choice combines sentences 10 and 11 from the passage in a way that is grammatically correct and maintains the meaning of the passage?
A. The concept of the ‘wilderness’ has changed, but the underlying values of the wilderness movement remain unchanged, and its meaning has become more contested.
B. The concept of the ‘wilderness’ has changed, but the underlying values of the wilderness movement remain unchanged; its meaning has become more contested.
C. The concept of the ‘wilderness’ has changed, but the underlying values of the wilderness movement remain unchanged; however, its meaning has become more contested.
D. The concept of the ‘wilderness’ has changed, but the underlying values of the wilderness movement remain unchanged, as its meaning has become more contested.