Choose the one-word term for a written account of the life of an individual person.

Introduction / Context:

This one-word substitution question belongs to common literary terms in English. Many competitive exams test whether you can distinguish between biography, autobiography, novel, and related forms. Knowing these distinctions helps in reading comprehension, literature questions, and everyday discussions about books and writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Concept / Approach:

A biography is a written account of a person life written by someone else. An autobiography is written by the person whose life is being described. A novel is a long fictional narrative, and an epigraph is a short quotation at the beginning of a book or chapter. Therefore, the correct match for the given phrase is biography rather than the other terms.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Think of well known books such as biographies of famous leaders or scientists. These are usually written by researchers or journalists, not by the persons themselves. The term used on book covers and in library catalogues is "biography". This supports the choice. If the book were written by the person about their own life, only then would it be called an autobiography.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Candidates sometimes ignore the detail about who writes the book. It is important to note whether the description includes the phrase "by himself" or "by herself". When that is absent, biography is the safer and more accurate choice. Understanding such precise differences will help you score higher in one-word substitution questions.

Final Answer:

The correct one-word term for "a written account of the life of an individual" is Biography.