Why "near" not "next to"

[Igor Lazarev]

Test No. errors/inter-8 "Tenses", question 10

Where we are living now it is very easy to get to the shops because our house is next the town centre.

(a) are living
(b) to get to
(c) shops
(d) next

Test No. errors/inter-8 "Tenses", answer 10

Where we are living now it is very easy to get to the shops because our house is near the town centre.

Correct entry: near
The error was: (d) next

You have found the error but your entry is incorrect.
Where we are living now it is very easy to get to the shops because our house is next to the town centre.

[Torsten]

Hi Igor,

You can live next to an object (a building) and near an area (the town centre).

Let me know if this makes sense to you.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary