Which statement best summarizes metacognition?

Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It involves the ability to monitor, control, and plan one's cognitive activities, especially while learning. Option C emphasizes this concept by highlighting a strategy that encourages students to think about their reading and understand it better. This self-reflective process allows learners to assess their comprehension, recognize when they do not understand something, and adjust their reading strategies accordingly.

When students engage in metacognitive practices, they are essentially taking charge of their learning by evaluating how well they grasp the material and determining what adjustments they might need to make to improve their understanding. This can involve strategies such as summarizing information, asking questions about the text, or reflecting on what has been learned.

The other choices, while related to learning in some way, do not encapsulate the essence of metacognition. A focus on improving math skills or memorizing texts relates more to specific strategies rather than the broader awareness and regulation of one's cognitive processes. Similarly, a method for reading faster does not necessarily involve an awareness of comprehension or cognitive engagement, which are key aspects of metacognitive strategies.