Discrete motor skills are characterized by what feature?

• A. A clear beginning and end
• B. No clear beginning or end
• C. A continuous movement
• D. An unpredictable environment

Answer: (A)

Discrete motor skills are defined by a definite beginning and end, so the movement is a single, bounded action. This makes them easy to identify and measure—start when the action begins and finish when it ends. For example, turning a door knob starts at contact and ends when the door opens. In contrast, continuous movements lack a clear stopping point (like walking or running), and an unpredictable environment refers to external conditions rather than how the movement is structured in time. So the defining feature is the clear start and finish of the movement.