On Hoxton Street in East London there is a very special children’s writing and mentoring center called the Ministry of Stories, which is fronted by its shop, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, where you can expect to find monster food. The store raises funds for this very special program that fires children’s imagination.
The youth aged 8 to 18 enter the Ministry, through a secret door that is designed to open up a world of opportunity by encouraging a love for writing. The organization believes that, “Writing increases self-respect, improves communication and can change lives.” That’s because writing allows children’s voices to be heard.
This year, the workshop is celebrating 10 years of helping children discover a love for writing through creative programs. Founded by Lucy Macnab, Ben Payne and best-selling author Nick Hornby, the organization works with around 1,000 children per year participating in school activities, and community projects across Hackney, Islington, and Tower Hamlets. It now has over 400 volunteers and runs its program free of charge for the youth of the areas.
“Through a range of creative writing programs, and one-to-one mentoring, we aim to help children find their own qualities that can be developed,” Macnab told The Telegraph. “We help children build confidence, self-respect, and communication skills in both workshops and writing clubs.”
One 10-year participant, Nmeso, said that the weekly after-school club he attends at the Ministry has helped him develop his imagination and improve his academic performance. In fact, he was able to move up a grade in school. What’s even more remarkable is that Meso has had a story he wrote published — along with other writers in the program — titled Andre Has a Hard Time. This is Nmeso’s success story.
【小题1】What is the function of Hoxton Street Monster Supplies?| A．Advertising the mentoring center. | B．Supporting the Ministry of Stories. |
| C．Attracting young children to come. | D．Arousing children’s interest in food. |
| A．To prove the program is popular. | B．To suggest writing is vital for children. |
| C．To attract readers’ attention to the center. | D．To show the value of the program. |
| A．To give the children a better future. | B．To develop the children’s writing skills. |
| C．To help the children express opinions. | D．To help discover the children’s potential. |
| A．He is ten years old this year. | B．He’s got his own book published. |
| C．He has obtained little benefit from the program. | D．He becomes very famous as a young writer. |
