Roald Dahl was a famous British author of children's books. He lived a surprising double life because while he wrote whimsical stories like Matilda, he also served as a spy for the British government during World War II.
Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences?
Roald Dahl was a British author, and he wrote Matilda, but he lived a double life because he served as a spy for the British government during World War II.
A British author of children's books, Roald Dahl served as a spy for the British government during World War II, and this meant he lived a surprising double life.
British author Roald Dahl lived a surprising double life; while he wrote whimsical stories like Matilda, he also served as a spy for the British government during World War II.
A surprising double life, British author Roald Dahl wrote Matilda; however, he served as a spy for the British government during World War II.
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. It uses a semicolon to separate the subject introduction from the explanation of his "double life," contrasting his writing career with his espionage work effectively.
Choice A is incorrect because the coordination with "and" and "but" is loose and fails to tightly connect the "double life" concept to the evidence. Choice B is incorrect because it frames the espionage as the cause of the double life in a less direct way than Choice C. Choice D is incorrect because the opening phrase "A surprising double life" is a dangling modifier that does not logically modify "British author Roald Dahl."