Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds

Question

Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds available to legitimate political candidates, a contemporary goal of election reformers in several states,   has not notably diminished the disparities persisting   between the best and worst fundraisers.
A.
B: has not been notable in diminishing the disparities that persist
C: has not made a notable diminution in the disparities that persist
D: have not notably diminished the disparities that persist
E: have not been notable in a diminution of the disparities persisting

Beyond the OA, i will appreciate someone explain "Attempts to balance..., A goal.......,
how come "attempts" is referred to as "a goal"?

shrouded1 · Answer

Goal refers to the balancing of the distribution
The subject if the sentence is Attempts
So the verb needs to be "have" not "has"
So A,B,C out
D is less wordy and more concise than E

Hence, D

shaselai · Answer

it is D. first notice the 3:2 split - very important as it happens very frequently. The have refers to attempts

metallicafan · Answer

+1 D

A. has not notably diminished the disparities persisting - Subject-verb agreement error. It shoud be HAVE.
B: has not been notable in diminishing the disparities that persist - The same error.
C: has not made a notable diminution in the disparities that persist - The same error.
D: have not notably diminished the disparities that persist - CORRECT
E: have not been notable in a diminution of the disparities persisting - Ackward and passive voice.

I think I deserve kudos 8-)

seekmba · Answer

D is best because "attempts" is plural and so we need "have".

soumanag · Answer

Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds available to legitimate political candidates, a contemporary goal of election reformers in several states,  has not notably diminished the disparities persisting  between the best and worst fundraisers.
A. has not notably diminished the disparities persisting
B: has not been notable in diminishing the disparities that persist
C: has not made a notable diminution in the disparities that persist
D:  have  not notably diminished the disparities that persist
E:  have  not  been notable in a diminution of  the disparities persisting
Taking the middleman out of the original sentence: 
 Attempts  to balance the distribution  of campaign funds available to legitimate political candidates, a contemporary goal of election reformers in several states ,has not notably diminished the disparities persisting between the best and worst fundraisers. 
=>  Attempts  to balance the distribution  has  not notably diminished the disparities persisting between the best and worst fundraisers.
Attempts = plural 
Correct option : D

arirux92 · Answer

This is a restrictive clause and hence requires 'that .... '
Grammatically incorrect? not sure... but stylistically wrong

VerbalBot · Answer

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Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds

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Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds

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