复杂的定语从句的拆分和理解 例16

例16　As a result, they have lost the parachute they once had in times of financial setback—a back-up earner (usually Mom) who could go into the workplace if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick.

【结构分析】主干是they have lost the parachute，后面是个定语从句they once had in times of financial setback，这个定语从句省略了that，后面破折号是个名词短语a back-up earner，后面是个定语从句who could go into the workplace，后面是个状语从句if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick.

【亮点回放】此句话破折号前面有定语从句，后面有定语从句，定语从句中有状语从句，两个定语从句前后搭配，很有气势。

【核心词汇】

the parachute　安全保障

in times of financial setback　在经济危机时候

a back-up earner　一个备用的赚钱者

go into the workplace　上班

got laid off　下岗

【参考译文】所以说，他们失去了经济危机时他们曾经拥有的安全保障——一个后备的赚钱者，他可以在家里主要收入者下岗或病了之后继续上班赚钱。