Difference between "severe" and "strict"

[Thunu]

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #16 "At the Shops", question 8

They're quite ......... in their policy of not giving refunds without a receipt in this store.

(a) severe
(b) strong
(c) strict
(d) hard

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #16 "At the Shops", answer 8

They're quite strict in their policy of not giving refunds without a receipt in this store.

Correct answer: (c) strict
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Can you explain the difference between "severe" and "strict", please?

Thank you
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Reach an agreement as ploughing, don't let argument happen at crops.

[Gray]

Severe -- Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

"severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"

www.thefreedictionary.com/severe

Strict -- Rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

"a strict vegetarian"

www.thefreedictionary.com/strict
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First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English