Which of the following is not a gross motor skill?

• A. Climbing a ladder
• B. Throwing a football
• C. Using a pencil to write your name
• D. Hopping on one leg

Answer: (C)

Gross motor skills involve large movements using big muscle groups and whole-body coordination, like climbing a ladder, throwing a football, or hopping on one leg. Fine motor skills, on the other hand, use small muscles, especially in the hands and fingers, for precise tasks such as writing. Writing your name with a pencil relies on those small hand and finger movements rather than large muscle activity, so it is a fine motor skill, not a gross motor one. Therefore, writing with a pencil is the item that is not a gross motor skill.