After a car accident, John fell into a 10-year coma. While in the coma, he was able to track movement with his eyes and, on occasion, seemed to try to communicate. After waking from the coma, John was able to recall events that his visitors had relayed to him over the years while he was comatose. For example, he knew that his niece recently got married. John was most likely in a ______________ state.
a. minimally conscious
b. persistent vegetative
c. semiconscious
d. functionally conscious