In the following question on one-word substitutions, select the word that best means “match or surpass a person by imitation”.

Introduction / Context:
This is a one word substitution question. The phrase given is match or surpass a person by imitation, and you must choose the single word that best expresses this idea. Such questions are common in English vocabulary sections because they test precise understanding of relatively formal words that often appear in written language and academic contexts.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The phrase to be converted into one word is match or surpass a person by imitation.• The options given are parallel, emulate, ditto and impression.• We assume that the correct word should include both elements: copying as a model and attempting to equal or even exceed someone.

Concept / Approach:
The key word here is emulate. To emulate someone means to imitate them, especially with the intention of equalling or surpassing their achievements. It is often used in contexts such as students emulating their teachers or young professionals emulating successful role models. Parallel simply means to be similar or comparable, without the specific idea of copying. Ditto is an informal way of saying the same again, and impression relates to the effect something has on someone or the act of mimicking someone's style, but it does not contain the idea of surpassing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase match or surpass, which implies competition or high ambition.Step 2: Note the by imitation part, which adds the idea of copying someone as a model.Step 3: Recall the verb emulate, which is defined as to imitate with the aim of equalling or surpassing.Step 4: Compare this definition with the given phrase and see that it matches almost exactly.Step 5: Select emulate as the correct one word substitution.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use each option in a sentence. She tried to emulate her elder sister by working just as hard and becoming even more successful fits the meaning perfectly. She tried to parallel her elder sister sounds vague and does not capture the idea of imitation as a deliberate strategy. She tried to ditto her elder sister is informal and wrong in standard English. She tried to make an impression like her elder sister is about effect on others, not about matching and surpassing by copying. These comparisons confirm that emulate is the right choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a: parallel means to be similar or run side by side, but it does not include the notion of imitation or striving to equal someone.Option c: ditto is a casual term used to mean the same again in lists and does not carry the idea of deliberate copying to achieve success.Option d: impression refers to the effect or image created in someone's mind or to mimicry in a loose sense, but not specifically to matching or surpassing through imitation.

Common Pitfalls:
Because emulate is less common in everyday conversation than in written English, some candidates may not be fully comfortable with its meaning. Others may be misled by words like impression, which are related to copying in other contexts, such as doing an impression of an actor. To avoid confusion, it is helpful to remember emulate as a technical or academic word often used in contexts of role models, mentors, or technology (for example, a program that emulates another). The central idea is always imitating in order to reach the same or higher level.

Final Answer:
The single word that means to match or even surpass a person by imitating them is emulate.