Choose the correct one-word substitution for:
'A book written about a person's life by someone else ___.'
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Biography
Explanation
The question asks for the one-word substitution for a life history written by another person. The correct word is Biography.
We can break down this word using its Greek root words to understand its exact meaning:
Bio means 'life' (as seen in words like biology).
Graphy means 'written or recorded' (as seen in words like geography).
When you combine them, a biography is simply a written record of a life. Because the definition specifies it is written by someone else, 'Biography' is the perfect fit.
The other choices have different meanings based on who is doing the writing and how the information is kept:
An Autobiography is a book about a person's life written by that person themselves. The root word Auto means 'self,' so it literally translates to a 'self-written life story.'
A Memoir is a collection of personal memories written by the person themselves, focusing on specific moments, experiences, or a particular period of their life rather than their entire history.
A Diary is a private, daily record of a person's personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, kept consistently by the individual.
Because autobiography, memoir, and diary are all written by the person themselves, 'Biography' is the only option that describes a book written by an outside author.
Key Points
Paying attention to the prefix of root words will help you easily solve one-word substitutions on competitive exams.
Remember the difference between the prefixes: Auto- means self (written by yourself), while a word without it like Biography means it was written by an outside observer.