In a family of six persons A, B, C, D, E and F, there are two married couples. D is the grandmother of A and the mother of B. C is the wife of B and the mother of F. F is the granddaughter of E. Who among the following is one of the married couples?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: D and E

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This family-relation question combines information about grandparents, parents, spouses and grandchildren to identify which pair forms a married couple. Such items test whether you can keep track of generations, genders and roles, and then see which pairing fits both the explicit and implicit clues (like "two married couples").


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Members: A, B, C, D, E and F.
  • There are exactly two married couples in the family.
  • D is the grandmother of A and the mother of B.
  • C is the wife of B and the mother of F.
  • F is the granddaughter of E.
  • All relations are within this group of six, and there are no extra hidden members.


Concept / Approach:

First we place people into generations using the grandparent and parent clues. Then we identify the obvious couple: the husband of C (since she is explicitly a wife). We then look at the remaining members and use the information about grandchildren to find the second married couple. Finally, we compare the candidate couples with the options given to select the correct pair.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: D is the grandmother of A and the mother of B. So D is female and one generation above B. B is a parent of A. Step 2: C is the wife of B and the mother of F. Therefore, C is female, B is her husband (male), and together they are one of the married couples. They have at least one child F, and B also has a child A (with C or otherwise). Step 3: F is the granddaughter of E. This means E is one generation above F and is a grandparent. Since F is already known as the child of C and B, E must be a parent of either B or C. Step 4: D is the mother of B and hence one grandparent of F. E, being another grandparent of the same F, must be D's spouse and the other parent of B (or of C, but the simplest and consistent interpretation is that D and E are grandparents through B). Step 5: Because there are exactly two married couples and we already have B–C as one couple, the second couple must be D–E. This satisfies the requirement of two couples within six people.


Verification / Alternative check:

Construct the family tree: D (grandmother) and E (grandfather) form an older married couple. Their child is B. B marries C, forming the second married couple. B and C have children A and F. In this arrangement, D is grandmother of A, D is mother of B, C is the wife of B and mother of F, and F is indeed the granddaughter of both D and E. All clues are satisfied, and there are exactly two married couples: D–E and B–C.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

C and D cannot be a couple because C is stated to be the wife of B, and D is B's mother, which would make C the wife of her own son—impossible in a normal family.

E and B cannot be a couple because B is already married to C. Also, if E were B's spouse, E could not simultaneously be the grandparent of F in the required way.

"None of these" is incorrect because we have found a valid couple (D and E) directly supported by the clues.


Common Pitfalls:

Candidates often stop at the obviously stated couple B–C and then randomly pick another pair without verifying grandparent relationships. Remember that when a grandchild is mentioned, both maternal and paternal grandparents must be members of the family, and this often pinpoints another married couple. Always check that the number of married couples exactly matches the stated count.


Final Answer:

One of the married couples is D and E.

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