"stage" vs "phase"

[nessie]

Hi,
Please have a look at this:

He has to go to canada for the next ...
a. step b. phase c. stage d. point
==>> Which is the best choice? What's the difference between "stage" and "phase"?

Many thanks
Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Jamie (K)]

It depends on what the sentence is supposed to mean. "Step", "phase" and "stage" could all be right.

He has to go to Canada for the next stage of the program.
He has to go to Canada for the next phase of the program.
He has to go to Canada for the next stage of the process (or program).

Are you sure no one's tricking you by giving you good choices and telling you one is wrong? Is there context you're not giving us?

[nessie]

No Jamie, there's no further context. I found this in a series of multiple choice questions.
So... could you please give me different contexts in which we can distinguish the three words?

Many thanks
Nessie.

[Jamie (K)]

I think my sentences gave you a little context.

[nessie]

Uhm... perhaps I'm so dumb but I just can't understand, Jamie:

He has to go to Canada for the next stage of the program.
He has to go to Canada for the next phase of the program.
He has to go to Canada for the next stage of the process (or program)

=> They are the same in these sentences. How can we distinguish?
:O:O:O

[Jamie (K)]

Basically, you can't distinguish between them. They're essentially the same.

Not every pair of synonyms has that teeny-tiny semantic difference that non-native teachers like to look for.

[nessie]

Thanks, Jamie.
(I just wonder what those test-makers want from us) (?!?)

[Jamie (K)]