Development: fine motor: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Development: fine motor

Sample item

A child stacks six cubes into a tower, scribbles spontaneously and walks up stairs holding a rail with both feet on each step. What is the most likely age?

A1 yearB5 yearsC3 yearsD2 years

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. 2 years

A tower of 6 cubes is expected at 2 years. A 1-year-old builds none, 15 months builds 2, 18 months builds 3 and 3 years builds 9 cubes. Walking upstairs with both feet on each step also fits 2 years.

Option by option

A. 1 year
At 1 year the child can only put a cube in a cup.
B. 5 years
A 5-year-old draws a triangle and builds a complex structure.
C. 3 years
A 3-year-old builds a tower of about 9 cubes and alternates feet on stairs.
D. 2 years (correct)
Correct. Tower of 6 cubes corresponds to 2 years.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, 2 years. A tower of 6 cubes is expected at 2 years.

Why is "1 year" not the answer?

At 1 year the child can only put a cube in a cup.

Why is "5 years" not the answer?

A 5-year-old draws a triangle and builds a complex structure.

Why is "3 years" not the answer?

A 3-year-old builds a tower of about 9 cubes and alternates feet on stairs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Development: fine motor in Pediatrics. A 1-year-old builds none, 15 months builds 2, 18 months builds 3 and 3 years builds 9 cubes. Walking upstairs with both feet on each step also fits 2 years.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Development: fine motor?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.