What does this phrasal verb mean: "start off"?

[Mikita]

Test No. incompl/elem-6 "Start/Begin", question 3

We ......... off early on the first day of summer so that we could see the sun rise.

(a) began
(b) started
(c) starting
(d) beginning

Test No. incompl/elem-6 "Start/Begin", answer 3

We started off early on the first day of summer so that we could see the sun rise.

Correct answer: (b) started

Your answer was: incorrect
We began off early on the first day of summer so that we could see the sun rise.
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please explain why not started off?

thank you so much.
Mikita

[Torsten]

The correct answer is (b) started off.
For more information on start vs. begin, please read this article by Alan Townend:
http://www.english-test.net/articles/24/index.html
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Baogamer]

can you tell me what does "start off" mean?

[Alan]

Hi,

This is usually used to indicate the start/beginning of a trip or a journey.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Words, words, words...

[Arumugam]

Can I say "I started off my project"

[Teakay]

In this section :
We ......... off early on the first day of summer so that we could see the sun rise.
the answer is started off.
I wonder why it come to past tense? Could you explain me?
thanks in advance

Teakay

[Morteza]

Beccause of time co-ordination,I think. The second sentence was in The past tense,and so was the first one.

[Marifat]

Hi,
I've practiced this tests today and noticed an error when I saw the scores. The answers which I marked were corrected, but they turned into another incorrect answer. F.ex.: I marked the answer "a.start", but it turned to "b.begin" incorrect, when it was evaluated automatically, "start" was really correct answer which I've chosen . Is it a technical problem?

[Torsten]

Hi,

Which question are you referring to? As far as I can see all the answers are shown correctly.
Many thanks,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Marifat]

Hi,
Yes, you are right. There was some misunderstanding, I was "fresh" here.
Thank you, you are doing a good job helping to improve English skills!
Regards,
Marifat

[Magicwhere]

Hi,
Can you explain the difference of "start" and "begin".
Thanks
Karen

[Sousa]

Hi,
Would you please give us some examples using word "star and Begin".
I have been using these words for many times but to me they are the same.
Can you differentiate them?

[Torsten]

Hi Sousa,

You probably mean 'start' and 'begin'? (Not 'star' as you wrote?) Well, for starters, you should read this: Start or begin?

Best regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary