choice

When used as nouns, choice means an option, whereas selection means the process or act of selecting. Choice is also adjective with the meaning: especially good or preferred.

In a multiple choice test or question, you have to choose the answer that you think is right from several possible answers that are listed on the question paper.

The thing or person of your choice is the one that you choose. The thing of choice is the one that people prefer to use.

Hobson's choice is a situation in which there is only one thing you can do, so you do not really have any choice at all. Probably from Thomas Hobson (1554-1631), who rented out horses and would only let his customers take the horse nearest the door.

If you do something by/from/out of choice, you do it because you want to do it and not because you are forced to do it. [=willingly]

"be spoilt for choice" means have so many possibilities to choose from that it is difficult to choose.

布里丹之驴是一以14世纪法国哲学家布里丹名字命名的悖论，其表述如下，一只完全理性的驴恰处于两堆等量等质的干草的中间，将会饿死，因为它不能对究竟该吃哪一堆干草作出任何理性的决定。Buridan's ass is a figurative description of a man of indecision. The paradox is named after the 14th century French philosopher Jean [让] Buridan. The paradox was not originated by Buridan himself. It is first found in Aristotle's De Caelo. [亚里士多德的《论天》]

"you pay your money and you take your choice" means: you should choose whatever alternative course of action, explanation etc you want, since any one is as good as any other 你花钱, 你挑选（谁都一样碰运气）。

六级/考研单词: noun, adjective, multiple, situate, probable, spoil, paradox, alternate