Which of the following deductions indicates the least severe penalty?

The choice that indicates the least severe penalty is a deduction of 0.05. In gymnastics scoring, deductions are applied to a gymnast's performance to reflect errors or omissions during their routines. Each type of deduction corresponds to the severity of the error. A deduction of 0.05 suggests a minor mistake, which may include things like slight form issues or minimal lack of completion in a skill.

Higher deductions, such as 0.1, 0.2, or 1.0, reflect increasingly serious errors. For instance, a deduction of 0.1 might include more noticeable issues, while a 0.2 indicates more significant mistakes that impact the overall quality of the routine. A deduction of 1.0 is a clear indication of a major error, like a fall or serious misexecution, which drastically affects the performance score. Thus, 0.05 represents the least severe penalty and demonstrates minor mistakes that are less critical in the context of the overall performance.