单选题 ______ substantial layoffs, costs were reduced.

A、 (A) When
B、 (B) Because of
C、 (C) Although
D、 (D) Since

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】Because of indicates a cause-and- effect relationship and can be followed by a noun phrase. Choice (A) must be followed by a subject and verb. Choice (C) indicates an unexpected result and must be followed by a subject and verb. Choice (D) must be followed by a subject and verb when indicating a cause-and-effect relationship.