Cost of sth, cost to sone

[BICHHANG]

It has been estimated that the annual cost to the United states of illiteracy in lost industrial output and tax revenues is at least $20 billion a year
A the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy in lost industrial output and tax revenues is at least $20 billion a year
B The annual cost of illiteracy to the United States is at least $20 billion a year because of lost industrial putput and tax revenues
C Illiteracy costs the United States at least $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues
D $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues is the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy
E Lost industrial output and tax revenues cost the United States at least $20 billion a year because of litteracy.

I hesitate before A, B, C, D which all of their grammar are okie. I just eliminated choice E. Please help me lighten them

[saxena_rishu]

Answer is B. Agent of the cost should always follow the word 'cost' in the sentence. B correctly does that.

[MCapri]

IMO C.Correct and Concise

[KillGmat]

C is correct

A the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy in lost industrial output and tax revenues is at least $20 billion a year

Awkward construction

B The annual cost of illiteracy to the United States is at least $20 billion a year because of lost industrial putput and tax revenues


C Illiteracy costs the United States at least $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues

Correct and concise

D $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues is the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy

Awkward construction


E Lost industrial output and tax revenues cost the United States at least $20 billion a year because of litteracy.

Awkward construction

[mannu08]

IMO ans is C.

@bichhang: Official Answer Please.

[faust]

IMO C is the answer, B and E are out because "BECAUSE OF" is never correct in GMAT. C is concise and not as wordy

A the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy in lost industrial output and tax revenues is at least $20 billion a year
B The annual cost of illiteracy to the United States is at least $20 billion a year because of lost industrial putput and tax revenues
C Illiteracy costs the United States at least $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues
D $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues is the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy
E Lost industrial output and tax revenues cost the United States at least $20 billion a year because of litteracy.

[ve_boss]

C is clear and concise. It's the best choice.

[sourav106]

A) B) and D) use annual and a year together so ...redundant.
E) uses the wrong verb form costs

So only correct option is C).

[Dynamo]

IMO C is the answer, B and E are out because "BECAUSE OF" is never correct in GMAT. C is concise and not as wordy

A the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy in lost industrial output and tax revenues is at least $20 billion a year
B The annual cost of illiteracy to the United States is at least $20 billion a year because of lost industrial putput and tax revenues
C Illiteracy costs the United States at least $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues
D $20 billion a year in lost industrial output and tax revenues is the annual cost to the United States of illiteracy
E Lost industrial output and tax revenues cost the United States at least $20 billion a year because of litteracy.

This is completely unfounded there is no such rule as 'because of is never correct in GMAT'....

the reason B is wrong is redundancy and the changed meaning of the sentence because of awkward construction this sentence conveys that the cost of illiteracy is because of lost industrial output and tax revenues....

B The annual cost of illiteracy to the United States is at least $20 billion a year because of lost industrial output and tax revenues

[fightinghard]

C for me as well