All six members of a family A, B, C, D, E and F are travelling together. B is the son of C but C is not the mother of B. A and C are a married couple. E is the brother of C. D is the daughter of A. F is the brother of B. In this family, who is the mother of B?

Introduction / Context:
This family relation question provides several clues about parent child and sibling relationships among six people. The twist is that although B is the son of C, C is not the mother of B. We must use this to identify who B's mother is. The puzzle also includes the condition that A and C are married, which is the crucial piece to solve it.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Family members: A, B, C, D, E and F.• B is the son of C.• C is not the mother of B, so C must be the father of B.• A and C are a married couple.• E is the brother of C.• D is the daughter of A.• F is the brother of B.

Concept / Approach:
Since B is the son of C and C is not the mother, C must be male and therefore the father of B. A and C are a married couple, so A is the spouse of C. In a standard nuclear family structure, the spouse of the father is the mother of his children. Therefore A is the mother of B. No other family member matches this role without contradicting the given information.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: From "B is the son of C but C is not the mother," conclude that C is B's father.Step 2: A and C are a married couple, so A is C's spouse.Step 3: In a typical family, the child B of C is also the child of C's spouse, A.Step 4: Therefore A is the mother of B.Step 5: The statement that D is the daughter of A simply tells us that D is also a child of A and C, and F is the brother of B, meaning F is another son of A and C.Step 6: None of the other roles (E as brother of C, D as daughter of A, F as brother of B) conflict with A being the mother of B.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Construct the family: A and C are married. C is male (since he is not the mother) and is B's father. Thus A must be B's mother. D is A's daughter and therefore C's daughter, making her B's sister. F is B's brother and hence another child of A and C. E, as C's brother, is the uncle of B and F and D. Every relation fits neatly with no contradictions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
D: D is explicitly the daughter of A, making her the sister of B rather than his mother.F: F is the brother of B, so he is another child, not a parent.B: A person cannot be their own mother.E: E is the brother of C; he is an uncle to B, not a parent.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates get confused by the phrase "C is not the mother of B" and fail to note that it implies C is the father. Others may try to assign A different roles, such as an aunt or unrelated traveler, ignoring that the married couple structure strongly suggests A and C are the parents of the children present. Keeping track of genders implied by mother and son is key.

Final Answer:
The mother of B is A.