difference between "close by" and "near by"

[Chelsea]

English Error, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "At the Finance Company", question 5

My workplace is very closely by so I can easily walk there. It takes about 20 minutes in all and it's good exercise for me as I try to walk as quickly as possible.

(a) closely
(b) easily
(c) quickly

English Error, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "At the Finance Company", answer 5

My workplace is very close by so I can easily walk there. It takes about 20 minutes in all and it's good exercise for me as I try to walk as quickly as possible.

Correct entry: close
The error was: (a) closely

You have found the error but your entry is incorrect.
My workplace is very near by so I can easily walk there. It takes about 20 minutes in all and it's good exercise for me as I try to walk as quickly as possible.
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Is there is a big difference btw close by and near by?

Chelsea

[Mister Micawber]

.
No, no real difference, but 'nearby' is one word.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Lili6]

My workplace is very close by so I can easily walk there. It takes about 20 minutes in all and it's good exercise for me as I try to walk as quickly as possible.

why is not right to put closely here ? by my opinion here close is refering to verb (is) and we must use adverb, it is not refering to noun , (workplace )
who can help me to understand ? thanks

[Mister Micawber]

Consider 'close by' an idiomatic phrase: close by = close = nearby = near.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Bangshws]

I think close by = nearby

Differences are only between close and near.
For example, you can say "he's my close friend" (not near friend)

I live near the school.
I live close to the school. ( close + to, not just close the hospital)

More example between close and by