In this blood relation puzzle, Q's mother is described as the sister of P and the daughter of M, while S is the daughter of P and the sister of T. Using this information, how is M related to T?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines the ability to track relationships across two generations. The family members Q, P, M, S and T are related through parent and sibling links, and the task is to determine the exact generational position of M relative to T. The question also highlights a typical exam trap where the gender of an ancestor is not explicitly given, so the safest description is often a neutral family term like grandparent.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Q's mother is the sister of P.• Q's mother is also the daughter of M.• S is the daughter of P.• S is the sister of T, which means P is also a parent of T.• Standard family structure with no adoption or remarriage is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
We first identify the direct descendants of M and then determine their relationship to T. If M is the parent of Q's mother, and Q's mother is the sibling of P, that means M is also the parent of P. Then we use the fact that P is a parent of T, because S is P's daughter and T is S's sibling. Once we know that P is a child of M and T is a child of P, M must be one generation above P and two generations above T, which makes M a grandparent of T. The question does not specify whether M is male or female, so we must answer using a gender neutral term.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: From the statement, Q's mother is the daughter of M, so M is a parent of Q's mother.Step 2: Q's mother is also the sister of P, so P and Q's mother are siblings, both children of M.Step 3: S is the daughter of P, and S is a sister of T, so P is a parent of both S and T.Step 4: This makes P the parent of T and M the parent of P.Step 5: Therefore, M is one generation above P and two generations above T.Step 6: Being two generations above T, M is T's grandparent, but the exact gender of M is not given in the question.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Make a simple tree: put M at the top, with two children, Q's mother and P. From P draw two children, S and T. In that diagram, M is clearly one step above P and two steps above T. Since no information is provided about whether M is male or female, the safest and most correct description is grandparent, which covers both grandfather and grandmother.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Grandfather of T: This assumes M is male, which is not provided anywhere in the question.Grandmother of T: This assumes M is female, which is also not provided.Father of T: P is the parent directly connected to T, not M, so M cannot be T's father.Uncle or aunt of T: M is clearly two generations above T, not a sibling of a parent, so this is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often rush and immediately label M as grandfather or grandmother, forgetting that the question does not specify a gender. Others fail to notice that M is an ancestor of both Q and T, and mistakenly place M as a parent instead of a grandparent. Drawing a quick family diagram is a very effective way to avoid these errors in exams.

Final Answer:
M is the grandparent of T (either grandfather or grandmother).