Other than using the selection tool (V) and the direct selection tool (A), Illustrator provides other tool functions, such as magic wand tool and the lasso tool, to select objects.

Magic Wand Tool (Y):
When you select multiple elements at a time, magic wand is a very useful tool.
It allows you to select multiple items simply by click one of them, and find other items with similar attributes, and make a part of selection automatically. You don’t have to hold down the shift key to click, and click, and click. By selecting the magic wand tool, double click the tool, then it will open the magic wand tool preferences and options.

Lasso Tool (Q):
When you select certain object, you do not get a bounding box. You could use the lasso to draw around the object, and only select the particular object in a sophisticated environment.