What is the difference between "begin" and "start"?

Solution 1:

Begin, when used as transitive verb, means "start, perform, or undergo the first part of an action or activity."
Start, when used as transitive verb, means "cause (an event or process) to happen", or "cause or enable someone or something to begin doing or pursuing something."

In "the children are eager to start reading the novel," start means "embark on a continuing action."

Solution 2:

Not much. Both of those sentences are acceptable and mean the same thing.

Solution 3:

The meanings are quite similar. The main difference is that start is both a noun and a verb. Begin is only a verb, with beginning as its noun version.

Someone pointed out another difference - that start can imply causation. ie - Start a fire. Begin doesn't really suggest this