Sentence Correction

Efforts to equalize the funds available to school districts, a major goal of education reformers and many states in the 1970's, has not significantly reduced the gaps existing between the richest and poorest districts.

(A) has not significantly reduced the gaps existing
(B) has not been significant in reducing the gap that exists
(C) has not made a significant reduction in the gap that exists
(D) have not significantly reduced the gap that exists
(E) have not been significant in a reduction of the gaps existing

OA is D.
I have a question though.
Is the use of the simple present "exists" after the present perfect "have reduced" correct in choice D?

Many Thanks

What is being reduced? The efforts.

That kills A B and C right away.

D is preferred since its in an active voice.

D is preferred since its in an active voice.

Is the use of the simple present "exists" after the present perfect "have reduced" correct in this choice ?

Efforts is plural, so 'have' should be the verb. Eliminate A,B and C

Between D and E, the sentence talks about prior efforts which have failed and that the gap still exists between the richest and poorest districts.

So efforts have not reduced - since efforts were taken before this point,
and exists - because the gap still exists (simple present).

D explains it best.

"have reduced" is simple past or present perfect ?

Have is always perfect tense, unless have itself is the verb.
'have reduced' will be present perfect

parisi04 wrote:"have reduced" is simple past or present perfect ?