70%
Complete the theater director's frantic notes by selecting the options that correctly use ellipsis to avoid unnecessary repetition.
"Listen up, everyone! In the opening scene, the chorus will wear black, and the main characters __________________________.
The orchestra hasn't finished tuning their instruments, but they absolutely _________________________ before the curtain rises.
Finally, I want the spotlight on the hero, and _________________________ the villain!"
The correct answers are white, must, and not on.
Explanation:
Ellipsis allows us to omit words that are clearly understood from the surrounding context, creating punchy, concise sentences.
- white: This is an example of gapping. We omit the repeated verb phrase "will wear" and just leave the contrasting object (and the main characters [will wear] white).
- must: This is Verb Phrase Ellipsis (VPE). We keep the modal verb "must" and omit the rest of the phrase (but they absolutely must [finish tuning their instruments]). "Must have" is incorrect because it changes the meaning to a deduction rather than an obligation.
- not on: This is an example of stripping, where everything is omitted from a coordinate clause except for a polarity particle ("not") and a contrasting phrase ("on the villain").