Jane Austin的North anger Abbey中的一句话,如下:
They saw nothing of Mr. Allen; and after looking about them in vain for a more eligible situation, were obliged to sit down at the end of a table, at which a large party were already placed, without having anything to do there, or anybody to speak to, except each other.
eligible为合意的,这里用于形容situation。其实更多情况下会用来形容人,两种用法:
1)意为qualified, able, 有资格的,有能力的。eg. He is eligible to vote.
2)意为suitable, (形容作为结婚对象)合适的,中意的。eg. He is the most eligible bachelor in China.
2016年5月北美真题,文学类阅读篇章William Maxwell的The Folded Leaf中有如下句子:
Blank pages front and back were filled in with maps, drawings, dates, comic cartoons, and organs of the body; also with names and messages no longer clear and never absolutelylegible.
legible意为清楚易读的,clear enough to read.