mindmap root((选择)) choice suggests the opportunity or privilege to choose freely from a number of alternatives: total freedom of ~ in the matter. option implies a specifically given power to choose among mutually exclusive items: the ~ of paying now or later. alternative implies a necessity to choose one and reject another possibility: the ~ is peace with dishonor or war. preference suggests personal bias and predilection as a basis of choice: stated a ~ for red-haired women. selection implies a wide range of choice and often the need of thought or discrimination in choosing: a store offering a wide ~ of furniture. election implies a formal choosing, typically for an explicit role, duty, or function: the careful ~ of college courses.