【明報專訊】Bill has a mania for trains and railways. Operating a train is his dream. As more fully automated trains are in operation nowadays, will Bill's dream come true?

“ Pat: I love your model train collection! ”

“ Bill: I aspire to become a train captain... ”

“ Pat: Come on, the trains will be driverless in the future! ”

“ Bill: Never mind. I'll be the best railway operation programmer then! ”

■English highway﹕aspire

If you aspire to something or to do something, you desire and work towards achieving something important.

e.g. She always aspires to an acting career.

"Aspiration" is the noun form, referring to something that you hope to achieve.

e.g. The student has aspiration to become a great writer.

■Quiz

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "aspire".

1. The young lady __________ to become the country's first female president in the future.

2. My brother worked hard to fulfil his childhood __________ to become a lawyer.

3. In the old days, most of my students __________ to a career in the government.

4. It is important to encourage children's dreams and __________.

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

mania (n) 狂熱

automated (adj) 自動化

train captain (n phr) 列車車長

programmer (n) 編程人員

[Smarties' Power English 第237期]