Directions (28-32): Read the following information carefully and answer the given questions. Six persons: A, B, C, D, E, and F were born on different dates in March 2000, falling between the 20th and 28th, but not necessarily in the same order. There are three vacant dates, and these are not consecutive. A was born on an odd-numbered date. B was born on the 25th, but not before C. Three persons were born between A and F. F was born just next date of E. There are two vacant dates between C and F. D was born on an even-numbered date, and was born neither just before E nor just after A. On which of the following dates was D born?

### Concept & Logic This is a linear arrangement puzzle. Solving it requires tracking two parallel sequences: the chronological dates (which include empty slots) and the ordered list of the 6 persons actually born. ### Step-by-Step Solution * **Initial Setup:** We have 9 dates (20th to 28th) for 6 persons and 3 non-consecutive vacant dates. * **Determine Anchor Points:** * B is born on the 25th. * E and F are born on consecutive days (E then F). * **Deduce the Timeline Block:** * C is born before B (25th). There are two vacant dates between C and F. * To fit this, F must be late in the month. If F is 28th, E is 27th. * "Three persons were born between A and F(28)". Those persons must be E(27), B(25), and one more (C). * For C to be the third person with two vacant dates between it and F(28), C must be on the 23rd. The vacant dates are 24th and 26th. * To keep three persons between A and F, A must be placed before C. The next available odd date is 21st. * **Finalizing D's Position:** * We are left with dates 20th and 22nd for D and the final vacant slot. * Constraint: D is on an even date (both 20 and 22 are even). * Constraint: D is "not just after A". Since A is on the 21st, D cannot be on the 22nd. * Therefore, D must be on the 20th, leaving 22nd as vacant. * **Final Arrangement Table:** | Date | Person/Status | | :--- | :--- | | 20 | D | | 21 | A | | 22 | Vacant | | 23 | C | | 24 | Vacant | | 25 | B | | 26 | Vacant | | 27 | E | | 28 | F | ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut When forced to choose between two remaining slots (like 20 and 22 for D), immediately cross-reference the negative constraints ("neither just before E nor just after A") to force the correct placement instantly. ### Common Pitfall Placing D on the 22nd simply because it's the first available even date after the 20th, forgetting to check the "not just after A" rule, which invalidates the entire arrangement. ### Final Answer According to the final arrangement, D was born on the 20th of March. Therefore, the correct answer is **20**.