The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most

Hello Everyone!

Let's take a closer look at this sentence, one thing at a time, to determine the best course of action. To begin, here is the original sentence with the major differences between each option highlighted in orange:

The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels.

(A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels
(B) with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service
(C) ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions of overall dissatisfaction by the guests with the hotel service
(D) in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service
(E) with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service

While there are a lot of differences between the options, 3 major ones jumped out that we can focus on:

1. Where to place the word ultimate/ultimately
2. Idiom structure: to reduce / of reducing
3. Their endings: the service in the hotels / the hotels' service / the hotel service

Since #2 on our list (to reduce / of reducing) will eliminate 2-3 options right off the bat, let's start there. This is an issue of using the proper idiom structure! Here is how this particular idiom works:

with to goal to do something = WRONG
with the goal of doing something = RIGHT

So let's rule out the options that use "with the goal to" because it's not idiomatically correct:

(A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels
(B) with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service
(C) ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions of overall dissatisfaction by the guests with the hotel service
(D) in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service
(E) with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service

We can eliminate options B and C because they don't use the proper "with the goal of verb+ing" structure. We'll also keep option D for now because it's reworded to avoid using the idiom altogether. Now let's focus on the remaining 3 options and look for any red flags:

(A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels

This is INCORRECT because the meaning is a bit odd. This sentence says that the goal is to reduce the guests - not reduce the number of guests. Since we cannot reduce the size of the guests (which is what this is implying), we should rule this out for awkward/unintended meaning issues.

(D) in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service

This is INCORRECT because we have a subject-verb agreement problem! The verb "ends up" is singular, but it's referring to a plural subject "guests." Since these don't agree in number, let's rule this out.

(E) with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service

We're left with only option E left, which is our CORRECT choice! This sentence is written clearly, the overall meaning is logical, and it doesn't have any issues with subject-verb agreement!

There you have it - option E is the correct choice!

Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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Here is my reasoning:


A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels -> The number of guests can be reduced. The guests themselves cannot be reduced. On a funny note, you cannot really reduce their height or something :D So, eliminate.

B) with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service -> Incorrect modifier 'ultimately'. This modifier should modify 'goal' and not 'reduce'. So, eliminate.

C) ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions of overall dissatisfaction by the guests with the hotel service -> 'goal to reduce expressions' totally distorts the meaning. So, eliminate.

D) in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service -> 'that' cannot be used to refer to people (i.e. guests). So, eliminate.

E) with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service -> By POE, this is the right answer. Though I am not very convinced about the usage of 'with' here. Going by the rule, 'with' should modify resorts here. Resorts don't have any ultimate goal.

The goal is not to ultimately reduce the numbers. It would be better if the commission could reduce the numbers now than if it reduces "ultimately". However the goal itself is ultimate (i.e. the final goal). Therefore placement of ultimately is wrong in option B.

'The guests that ends up' is an easy SV error to spot and eliminate. D is gone. The idea is not to reduce either guests or their expressions. The idea is to reduce the number of complainants. Therefore, A and C are gone. Between B and E; B has a problem of split infinitive in 'to ultimately reduce', and a problem of superfluity or redundancy in saying ' who end up expressing dissatisfaction. 'Who express' is more direct and dynamic.

Therefore, E remains.
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The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels.

(A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels "Reducing the guests" makes it seem like the goal is to reduce the guests. Awkward.

(B) with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service This makes it seem like they have been trying to reduce the number of guest for a while now and have ultimately succeeded

(C) ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions of overall dissatisfaction by the guests with the hotel service “reduce expressions” change the meaning and is awkward

(D) in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service Since we are referring to guests, “who” needs to be used instead of “that”

(E) with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service The ultimate goal of the tourism commission has been stated.

- Nitha
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Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that the ultimate, or final, goal of the tourism commission is reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• When "goal" is part of a noun phrase, "goal + of" is the correct, idiomatic construction; "goal + to" is used when "goal" is part of a verb phrase; respective correct usages "I succeeded in my goal of learning French." and "My goal is to learn French."

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "reducing the guests"; the construction of this phrase illogically suggests that the ultimate goal of the tourism commission is somehow diminishing the guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service; the intended meaning is that the ultimate goal of the tourism commission is reducing how many guests express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service. Further, Option A uses the needlessly wordy phrases "who end up expressing" and "the service in the hotels", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "goal to ultimately reduce"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the goal of the tourism commission is to ultimately, or eventually, reduce the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service; the intended meaning is that the ultimate, or final goal of the tourism commission is to reduce the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "goal + to" rather than the idiomatic construction "goal + of"; please remember, when "goal" is part of a noun phrase, "goal + of" is the correct, idiomatic construction. Additionally, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "end up expressing", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the goal of the tourism commission is to eventually reduce the number of expressions of dissatisfaction made by guests regarding hotel service; the intended meaning is that the ultimate, orfinal, goal of the tourism commission is reducing how many guests express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "goal + to" rather than the idiomatic construction "goal + of"; please remember, when "goal" is part of a noun phrase, "goal + of" is the correct, idiomatic construction.

D: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "guests" with the singular verb "ends up". Further, Option D alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "in an ultimate attempt"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the tourism commission made a final attempt to reduce the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service; the intended meaning is that the ultimate, or final, goal of the tourism commission is reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service. Additionally, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "end up expressing", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "guests" with the plural verb "express". Further, Option E uses the phrase "the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests", conveying the intended meaning - that the ultimate, or final, goal of the tourism commission is reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service. Additionally, Option E correctly uses the idiomatic construction "goal + of". Besides, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

Additional Note: Identifying the correct answer in this question involves understanding the difference between "ultimate" and "ultimately". Please note that "ultimate" is an adjective that carries the connotation of the "final" or "most-advanced" version of the noun it modifies, and "ultimately" is an adverb that carries that connotation of "eventually" for the verb it modifes.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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The goal is not of the resort but of the tourism commission. With is correct

Got this one correct....My line of reasoning

First scan of the original sentence as it is A) with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels

reducing the number of guests rather than reducing the guests. Next who end up expressing...leads to unnecessary verb+ing form........the last phrase with the service in the hotels....sounds unnecessary wordy and can be more concise

reducing the number of guests rather than reducing the guests - remains B, D, E

expressing in B - eliminates B

Between D and E, the construction of D is weird

E remains and the correct answer. Rechecked the correct answer

The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service.

Survey of hotels is conducted to reduce the number of guests expressing dissatisfaction with the hotels service...

Answer will be (E)
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Isn't the option E conveying that there is a category of guests who express dissatisfaction, guests who end up expressing seems better but unfortunately other options also contain errors .
sayantanc2k : your views please?


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Hi Experts,

I wish to understand what's wrong in option B compared to E.

(B) The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service

(E) The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service


Scientists have solved many puzzles of nature, with the goal to understand the earth better
Scientists have solved many puzzles of nature, with the goal of understanding the earth better

I think the former makes more sense because "to" has an intention connotation that is lacking in "for verb-ing". Or, is there a problem with "ultimate" in the above sentence?

"who express" is, of course, much cleaner than "who end up expressing"

"Ultimately" in B is redundant; you would use this word only if there were some other attempts which failed.

In either case, without a comma, the relative clause modifier categorizes the noun it modifies - the modifier is an essential modifier. Thus both the options C and E categorizes "guests". For example:

I hate men who talk a lot. ... Meaning: There are 100 men, out of them I hate only those 30 men who talk a lot. (categorizes men)
I hate men, who talk a lot.... Meaning: I hate all 100 men, and all the 100 men talk a lot ("who talk a lot" is just an additional information about "men" - no categorization here).

In this question it is required to use an essential modifier (one without comma), since the number of only those guests who express dissatisfaction needs to be reduced. Option C and E both are alright in that respect.

I hope that I understood your query correctly.

In A, reducing the guests implying the GUESTS are to be made smaller in size.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate A.

Generally, an infinitive modifier serves to express INTENT.
B and C: with the goal to reduce
Here, the infinite modifier in red implies that the goal is intended TO REDUCE something.
This meaning is nonsensical: a goal cannot be used to reduce something.
Eliminate B and C.

D: the number...that ends up ends up expressing dissatisfaction
Here, the portions in red imply that an actual number -- 100, 1000, etc. -- is EXPRESSING dissatisfaction.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate D.


Posted by
GMATGuruNY

Hi Sayantank,
I am in my final stages of preparation and this question has really demotivated me.

As per Magoosh, preposition noun participle ( with the ultimate goal of reducing) is an awkward construction. GMAT does not like so much action together. So I eliminated a and e.
Also, as per the idiom list in Manhattan SC : " the goal is to expand the company" - we prefer to + base form.

Using both the concepts I eliminated e and chose b.

I am not sure if there is an option to tag Magoosh so that they can clarify. Cz they have used this concept many times to eliminate answers.

It would be really helpful if you could provide your comments in resolving my query.

Hi Bingo123,

I would be glad to help you resolve your doubt.

At e-GMAT, we apply meaning-based approach to solve any and every SC problem.

The original sentence says that the tourism commission's ultimate goal is to reduce the guests who complain about the services.

So, the goal is ultimate as expressed by Choice A, D, and E. Use of ultimately in Choices B and C distorts the meaning of the original sentence because these choices state that the commission's goal is to ultimately reduce. Hence, Choices B and C can be eliminated.

Also, from the context of the sentence, it is clear that the commission wants to reduce the number of those guests who complain. Hence, the appropriate expression is to reduce the number of guests as we see in Choice E. So Choice A can be eliminated.

In Choice D, the subject that that stands for plural noun guests does not agree in number with singular verb ends up. Hence, this choice is also eliminated.

Choice E indeed is the correct answer choice that conveys the intended meaning of the sentence.

It certainly is difficult to remember a bunch of complicated rules. However, applying meaning-based approach is the easy and logical way to solve SC problems.


Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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Hi please explain why option D is wrong

Also, are both goal to and goal of correct??

Thanks in advance

Hello arvind910619,


I am not sure of you still have this doubt. Nonetheless, here is my response.

Let me present the sentence with Choice D:

The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels’ service.

Please note that the noun modifier that must logically refer to guests because the guests express dissatisfaction. But it is not correct to use that to refer to people. Hence, usage of that is incorrect in choice D.

Since that must logically refer to plural guests, it must take plural verb. But the verb for that is singular ends up.

Hence, it appears that in Choice D, that has been used to refer to the phrase the number of guests. But this modification is illogical and hence incorrect because the number does not express dissatisfaction. The guests do so.





I will be glad to help you out with this one.

The thing to note here is that Choice B uses the phrase goal to reduce and Choice E uses the phrase goal of reducing. Both the phrases are correct and are used oer the context of the sentence. So there is no issue with the usage of either of the phrase.

However, it is the usage of ultimately and ultimate in Choice B and E respectively that matters.

The original sentence says that the tourism commission has conducted surveys with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests.

Hence, the goal is ultimate. Ultimate is the adjective used for the noun goal. This is what Choice E also says and hence retains the information provided in the original sentence.

However, Choice B uses the adverb ultimately that does not modify the goal anymore. It modifies the action denoted by to reduce. So this choice says that the goal is to ultimately reduce the number of guests rather than saying that the ultimate goal is to do so.

Hence Choice B wins over Choice E with regards to the usage of ultimate.


Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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GMATNinja, mike, and @e-gmat

In the official answer, its written that direct modifiers like with......should be close to what they modify. But with the ultimate goal is not close to the entity it modifies.