<p>Although the candidate promised both to cut taxes and
improve services, he failed to keep either of them after
the election.</p>
<p>(A) Although the candidate promised both to cut taxes
and improve services, he
(B) The candidate, having promised both to cut taxes
and improve services,
(C) Although the candidate made promises both to cut
taxes and improve services, he
(D) Having promised, first, to cut taxes and, second,
to improve services, the candidate
(E) The candidates promises were both to cut taxes
and improve services, he</p>
<p>I got the right answer, which is C, but I thought when you were using "both", there had to be a parallel structure. When I saw this question, I was looking for an option that would say "both to cut and to improve". Why is that not present in the right answer?</p>
<p>Oh, I hate this question. :) This is from the CB online tutorial, isn't it?</p>
<p>The short answer is that it's not right; it's just the least wrong answer. The way to get this question "correct" is to use process of elimination, as you did: good work. </p>
<p>If it is, in fact, from the online tutorial, well, I've noticed a couple of questions on the CB online course that are slightly sketchier than anything I've seen in the Blue Book and certainly than anything I've seen on a real administered test. I think that their quality control may be just very slightly lower on their online problems. This problem contains a proofreading error, plain and simple. </p>
<p>But it's still a major learning opportunity: on the SAT CR and W, there are not "true" answers; there are only "best" or "least wrong" answers. Process of elimination is always your best friend.</p>