Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase.
                    “spick and span”
(a)A ready-made something
(b)Outspoken
(c)Garrulous
(d)Fond of good clothes
(e)Neat and clean

Answer 1

Hint: For a hint, read the following sentences to figure out the meaning of the phrase "spick and span":
My mother wanted my room to be spick and span before the guests arrived.
The new maid we have hired leaves the kitchen spick and span.
My mother hates it when we leave our dirty shoes on the mat since she likes everything to be spick and span.

Complete answer: Spick and span is a phrase which refers to cleanliness at the highest level.
(a)’A ready-made something’ is wrong because a readymade something is used for things which are already made from before.
(b)’Outspoken’ is wrong because outspoken people are people who speak their minds. They don't keep their opinions on something to themselves. They have to voice their opinions no matter how inappropriate it is.
(c)’Garrulous' refers to someone who is very talkative especially on things which are of no importance. Nobody wants to team up with Henry for the project because he is very garrulous and might ruin the presentation.
(d)’Fond of good clothes’ just talks about being fond of good clothes which is not the meaning of spick and span. A close synonym for such a person would be the word "dapper".
(e)’neat and clean’ refers to something tidy, clean and orderly. This is the correct option.

Note: For answering words which are phrases, it is of course of advantage if the students know the meaning of such phrases beforehand. The absence of examples in the form of sentences make it difficult to identify the meaning if the meaning is not beforehand.