What describes the awareness of one's own understanding while reading?

The awareness of one's own understanding while reading is best described as self-monitoring. This concept involves being cognizant of how well one is comprehending the text and recognizing when understanding breaks down. When readers effectively self-monitor, they can identify the points at which they may not grasp the material and can apply strategies to re-engage with the text—whether through re-reading, summarizing, or asking questions. This active engagement in monitoring comprehension is vital for effective reading and promotes deeper understanding.

Self-evaluation, while related, focuses more on assessing one's performance or understanding after completing a reading task rather than during the process. Reflective thinking emphasizes critical consideration and analysis of knowledge, which is broader and not strictly limited to the awareness of comprehension. Active reading involves engaging with the text through strategies, but it does not specifically highlight the metacognitive aspect of being aware of one's own understanding during the reading process.