machines for farming

[lxj2009]

1. Although some officials noted that using machines for farming in China costs more than traditional hand cultivation, the mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while the previous year’s costs were cut in half.
(A) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while the previous year’s costs were cut in half
(B) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while cutting costs to half those of the previous year
(C) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield as cost were cut to half of the previous year’s
(D) farming mechanization in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield as it cut in half the previous year’s costs
(E) farming mechanization in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while costs were cut to half that of the previous year

this one is not difficult, but I have some questions regarding several details.
(1) are "mechanization of farming" and "farming mechanization" both right here? I think so, but is there any subtle differences between them? And on what condition, they are different enough to make an option right and the other wrong?
(2) words like "cost" and "profit" can be either single or plural, is there any condition on which they must be single or plural? Or it just depends on the context?

Thanks!

[Willy]

1. Although some officials noted that using machines for farming in China costs more than traditional hand cultivation, the mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while the previous year’s costs were cut in half.
(A) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while the previous year’s costs were cut in half
(B) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while cutting costs to half those of the previous year
(C) mechanization of farming in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield as cost were cut to half of the previous year’s
(D) farming mechanization in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield as it cut in half the previous year’s costs
(E) farming mechanization in the village of Long Bow doubled the corn yield while costs were cut to half that of the previous year

this one is not difficult, but I have some questions regarding several details.
(1) are "mechanization of farming" and "farming mechanization" both right here? I think so, but is there any subtle differences between them? And on what condition, they are different enough to make an option right and the other wrong?
(2) words like "cost" and "profit" can be either single or plural, is there any condition on which they must be single or plural? Or it just depends on the context?

Thanks!

1. I don't think "mechanization of farming" and "farming mechanization" are the same.

We do "mechanization of something" not "something mechanization", so to me later doesn't make any sense.

2. I think "cost" and "profit" can be used as either singular or plural depending on the context.

e.g. MGMAT book costs $12.
e.g. MGMAT books cost $40.

In both the above examples cost and costs are used as VERB.

Same can true for the profit/profits.

e.g. The profits for this year are low.
e.g. The profit for this year is low.

In both the above examples profit and profits are used as NOUN.

While typing all this, another questions has popped up in my mind. I think we can use cost/costs as a NOUN also?

e.g. Costs associated with travelling are very high.
Here "Costs" is Noun??

Am I right? Please help experts.

[lxj2009]

well, cost can be used as both noun and verb.
but the other points need expert to reply.

[tim]

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