195. Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts.
譯文
盡管英鎊的堅挺和亞洲市場的疲軟對（這次陶瓷業(yè)）規(guī)模的減小有重要影響，但Stoke臨時裁員的行為還是源于巨大的社會變化。
點睛
本句的主干是the layoffs have their roots。although引導(dǎo)讓步狀語從句。
downsizing本義為“縮小規(guī)模”，本句中意為“（公司）裁員”。如：
1) They're downsizing, and I got my walking papers last week. 公司裁員，我上周收到了解聘書。
2) Downsizing the work force is the better way to cut down the cost of production.
削減勞力是降低生產(chǎn)成本的更好方法。
layoff意為“臨時解聘，裁員”。如：
Workers were re-employed after the layoff. 暫時解雇不久后，工人們又再度受聘。
shift意為“變化；移轉(zhuǎn)”。如：
A sudden shift in the wind warned of the coming storm. 風(fēng)向的突然轉(zhuǎn)變預(yù)示著暴風(fēng)雨即將來臨。
考點歸納
play a role in意為“在……中起一定的作用；在……中扮演角色”，可以與play a part in替換。如：
Computers play an increasingly important role in our studies.（＝Computers play an increasingly important part in our studies.）在我們的學(xué)習(xí)中，電腦起著越來越重要的作用。
Mrs. Green always plays the leading role.（＝Mrs. Green always plays the leading part.）格林太太總是扮演主角。
