sumanr84 wrote:Although most large public relations firms can afford to run information technology centers in-house, some niche firms are discovering that the cost associated with maintaining an information technology staff and from continuously improving hardware and software are larger than they initially estimated.

A) cost associated with
B) costs associated from
C) costs associated with
D) cost arising from
E) costs arising from

[spoiler]Source : Platinum GMAT, OA : E. "Costs arising from" looks pretty awkward though.[/spoiler]

At first glance, I thought A is the correct answer, since 'costs associated with' sounded perfect. But when you read the remaining part of the sentence, "and from continuously improving hardware...", you see that the underlined portion of the sentence is part of a list. This eliminates A and C.
Eliminate D since it uses 'cost' and not 'costs'.
Down to B and E. B says 'costs associated from' which is incorrect usage. Pick the remaining choice E.

E

costs arising from maintaining an information technology staff and from continuously improving hardware and software are larger than they initially estimated.

sumanr84 wrote:Although most large public relations firms can afford to run information technology centers in-house, some niche firms are discovering that the cost associated with maintaining an information technology staff and from continuously improving hardware and software are larger than they initially estimated.

A) cost associated with
B) costs associated from
C) costs associated with
D) cost arising from
E) costs arising from

[spoiler]Source : Platinum GMAT, OA : E. "Costs arising from" looks pretty awkward though.[/spoiler]

"and from " indicates parallelism

"cost" is singular.

therefore IMO E

Hey Suman...there is one same type of question in OG or review....right ?

Well noticed Nikhil..You all are right about ||ism..I was confused and blindly picked "costs associated with", thinking idioms..

OG 11 SC Q 41

While large banks can afford to maintain their own data-processing operations, many smaller regional and community banks are finding that the cost associated with upgrading data-processing equipment and with the development and maintenance of new products and technical staff are prohibitive.

A cost associated with
B costs associated with
C costs arising from
D cost of
E costs of

OA is B..I found in BTG.

E , went for the from ...and from logic

And there is an "are" in the non underlined..

sumanr84 wrote:Well noticed Nikhil..You all are right about ||ism..I was confused and blindly picked "costs associated with", thinking idioms..

OG 11 SC Q 41

While large banks can afford to maintain their own data-processing operations, many smaller regional and community banks are finding that the cost associated with upgrading data-processing equipment and with the development and maintenance of new products and technical staff are prohibitive.

A cost associated with
B costs associated with
C costs arising from
D cost of
E costs of

OA is B..I found in BTG.

yup..thanks for the info..hope your last week is going on in full swing and as per your plan...All the Best !!!

I see what this question is trying to do, but I don't agree that the past participle "associated" and present participle "arising" are interchangeable.

Suman,

I almost forgot your test date is coming up. Best of luck dude. I hope you get the score you want.

Thanks indiantiger.. A pitcher of single Malt for you..enjoy..