Which action involves careful analysis and thought to understand and derive meaning from a text?

The action that involves careful analysis and thought to understand and derive meaning from a text is to interpret. When you interpret a text, you engage deeply with its content, considering the context, themes, and nuances of language. This process often requires you to read between the lines, analyze characters' motivations, and explore the author's intentions. Interpretation goes beyond merely identifying what is stated; it encompasses understanding the underlying meanings and implications.

In contrast, defending a position may involve supporting a specific viewpoint with evidence but doesn’t necessarily require deep analysis of overall meaning. Evaluating focuses on assessing the quality or significance of the text, which can require interpretation but is more about judgment than understanding. Summarizing is the act of condensing the main ideas into a brief description, which does not involve the same level of analytical engagement to extract deeper meaning.