The pandemic has caused difficulties for a lot of different types of businesses, but it’s been especially challenging for eat-in restaurants. Many have responded by adding partitions(隔板) between diners, but the drawback is that they can result in an isolated atmosphere and narrow table.

One Tokyo restaurant wondered if there was a more aesthetically(审美地) pleasing way to do things, and the idea they’ve come up with is this.

It’s called the lantern partition, and when you sit down at the table, you slide under it. While the top section is a traditionally styled chochin (Japanese paper lantern), part-way down it transitions to clear plastic, allowing you and your dining companions to remove your masks while you eat but still have a protective barrier that allows you to see one another, all without taking up any extra space on the table.

Each lantern partition is 102 centimeters tall and 75 centimeters in diameter, with its own light source to keep your face and food lighted.

The partitions have recently been installed in the restaurant of Hoshinoya Tokyo, a luxury hotel in Tokyo’s Otemachi neighborhood that’s part of the Hoshino Resorts group. They’re not just called lantern partitions because of how they look, as the Hoshino group produced them in cooperation with Kojima Shoten, a Kyoto lantern craftsmen’s workshop that’s been in business since the Kansei years (1789-1801) of Japan’s Edo period.

The partitions were added to Hoshinoya’s private banquet(宴会) room, along with a Tokyo Lantern Banquet multi-course meal. Normally, the restaurant is only open to people staying at the hotel, but for the Lantern Banquet they may invite outside guests to join them in this unique dining experience.

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1.The partitions between diners can_______.

A cause difficulties for businesses

B challenge eat-in restaurants

C lead to an isolated atmosphere

D widen the tables in restaurants

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第一段第二句“Many have responded by adding partitions(隔断) between diners, but the drawback is that they can result in an isolated atmosphere and narrow table.”可知，很多餐厅在食客之间加隔板，缺点是会导致用餐氛围孤立、餐位狭窄。故选C。

2.What can we know about the lantern partition?

A It makes diners look more beautiful.

B It keeps diners wearing masks while eating.

C It takes up much more space on the table.

D It helps to prevent the spread of the virus in some way.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第二段可知，这款“灯笼隔板”可以让餐厅看起来更漂亮，而不是让食客更漂亮；根据第三段第二句可知，在这种“灯笼隔板”下用餐可以不戴口罩，而且也不会在桌子上额外占空间，它可以提供一个保护屏障（a protective barrier），即在一定程度上阻止病毒传播。故选D。

3.Why are the partitions called lantern partitions?

A Because they are designed for restaurants.

B Because they have a long history in Japan.

C Because they are Japanese paper lanterns.

D Because they are artworks with the look of lanterns.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据第五段可知，这些隔板被称为“灯笼隔板”，不仅仅是因为它们的外观(像灯笼)，更因为它们是星野集团和京都灯笼匠人工坊合作生产的，可推知这种隔板更像是匠人工坊制作的灯笼造型的艺术品，故选D。

4.Who are accessible to the banquet room installed with lantern partitions?

A Guests who are invited to the Lantern Banquet.

B People who stayed at Hoshinoya Tokyo before.

C Diners who want to have the unique experience.

D People who live in Tokyo’s Otemachi neighborhood.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据最后一段可知，该酒店的私人宴会餐厅推出了灯笼宴会套餐，酒店餐厅通常只对住店客人开放，但是酒店的灯笼宴会可能会邀请非住店客人体验。故选A。