Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Practice Exam

Which skill improvement indicates a swimmer is in the intermediate stage of learning?

1. Movements are fast and smooth

2. Movements are accurate and require little thought

3. Movements are awkward and require intense concentration

4. Responses are faster and smoother with general understanding

The correct answer is: Responses are faster and smoother with general understanding

A swimmer in the intermediate stage of learning exhibits responses that are faster and smoother, demonstrating a general understanding of the techniques being practiced. At this stage, the swimmer has progressed beyond the initial awkwardness and intense concentration that typically characterize the beginning phase of skill acquisition. They begin to integrate the skills they've learned, allowing for smoother movements that reflect an understanding of stroke mechanics and body position in the water. This implies that while there's still room for improvement, the swimmer can perform the skills with more fluidity and without overthinking each individual movement, indicating a solid grasp of the fundamentals necessary for progression. The other options reflect stages either prior to or beyond the intermediate stage. Fast and smooth movements might be associated with advanced swimmers, while movements that are awkward and require intense concentration are characteristic of beginners. Accurate movements with minimal thought signify a level of automaticity typically seen in more advanced swimmers, marking their proficiency rather than the intermediate phase.