1. 这是什么词？       

词：alternative   

英英释义：something that you can choose instead of something else   

例句：Equipped with best-in-class delivery networks, JD.com has become a popular alternative to Taobao.com.   

2. 为什么选这个词？   

“alternative” 既是形容词也是名词，今天我们学习它的名词用法。作为名词，alternative 表示“可供替代的”，是个可以用在口语和写作中，让表达更加简洁的单词。我们想表示“选择”时，除了“choice” “option”外，很多时候还可以使用 alternative。   

比如对有些人来说，除了在淘宝上购物外，还会因为京东物流快而在京东上买东西，我们就可以说：   

Equipped with best-in-class delivery networks, JD.com has become a popular alternative to Taobao.com.   

要注意，alternative 后常接介词 to，A is an alternative to B，就是说“A 是 B 的替代品” “代替 B 做法的另一做法（A）”。   

和我们前面学习的 panacea 一样，在说到问题的解决方案时，就可以用到 alternative。比如在写教育话题时，我们想表达为了满足不同的学习需求，学校除了提供实体课堂外，还应该为学生提供更多的选择，就可以说：   

To cater to various learning needs, schools should offer students more alternatives, say online courses, to classes delivered on campus.   

《经济学人》曾在一篇文章中引用过葡萄牙总理 Antonio Costa 的一句话：   

“We showed that there is an alternative to ‘There is no alternative,’” says Mr Costa.   

“别无选择”的英文可以说成“There is no alternative”。 当我们认为别无选择的时候，可以试着鼓励自己说一句：There is always an alternative to “There is no alternative”。       

3. 怎样学会使用这个词？       

1）使用《牛津英语搭配词典》查“alternative”，了解它作为名词时的常用搭配。 

2）翻译下面的句子：       

many universities in the US now accept the IELTS as an alternative to TOEFL.

如今，许多美国的大学除了接受托福成绩外，也接受雅思成绩。   

（参考翻译：Many universities in the United States now accept the IELTS as an alternative to the TOEFL.）   

3）结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等，想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景，再造句。       

例子：    D&G

场景 ：         From a much-anticipated fashion show to a much-anticipated cancellation, Italian fashion brand D&G just used four days to turn the Chinese market down, due to controversy over what many view as a racist ad campaign. The fashion circle never fails to attract controversy, and perhaps they should bear this in mind that  there is always an alternative to the brand who wants to make money in China and win the favor of Chinese market on one hand, while doing good behavior.