What is the difference between about and of?

[Guest]

Test No. incompl/elem-2 "Money accepted", question 5

Have you read that book ......... the life of Van Gogh?

(a) about
(b) of
(c) over
(d) in

Test No. incompl/elem-2 "Money accepted", answer 5

Have you read that book about the life of Van Gogh?

Correct answer: (a) about
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What is the difference between about and of?

[Alan]

In this sentence about indicates on the subject of whereas of on its own suggests possession.
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English as a Second Language
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