Walking around in a maze

[mou]

Test No. incompl/inter-29 "Who has done it?", question 6

As a result you feel as if you are walking in a ......... since at each turning you come to a block end.

(a) muddle
(b) mess
(c) maze
(d) mist

Test No. incompl/inter-29 "Who has done it?", answer 6

As a result you feel as if you are walking in a maze since at each turning you come to a block end.

Correct answer: (c) maze

Your answer was: incorrect
As a result you feel as if you are walking in a mess since at each turning you come to a block end.
_________________________

what does this means walking in a maze

[Torsten]

It means you are moving around without any orientation. A maze is like a labyrinth.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[rich7]

what is the difference between these two?
_________________
I should have been born in the USA.
I've got this thing about America.

[Torsten]

Well, the word labyrinth basically means the house of the double axe which is a reference to the Minoan Palace at Knossos in ancient Crete. The Minoan Palace had a complicated and confusing structure and many Greek citizens viewed this building as a place of chaos.
So, a labyrinth is a single but highly intricate path that takes you closer to your goal. You may feel at times lost or even gone astray but the design of a labyrinth is such that every step takes you closer to your goal.

A maze on the other hand is a puzzle to be solved, it it something that has muliple paths and choices, many of which lead to dead ends. Also, the word maze has a more figurative meaning - for example you can say I'm in a maze when you are confused or perplexed.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[rich7]

I can see now...thanks...
_________________
I should have been born in the USA.
I've got this thing about America.

[Alan]

Just another thought on this - a maze is also an arrangement of high hedges at different angles where you walk through trying to find the exit - amazing what you can find out on this site!!
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Search Engines

[rich7]

Yes right on...
_________________
I should have been born in the USA.
I've got this thing about America.