Final answer:
Test monitoring is the activity of comparing the planned test progress to the actual progress. It is critical to ensuring the testing process meets its goals. It is distinct from test planning, test control, and test closure, each of which has different roles in the testing process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The activity that compares the planned test progress to the actual test progress is known as test monitoring. This is a critical aspect of software testing that ensures that testing is on track and meeting its objectives. It involves regularly checking on various metrics and reports against the baseline that was established during the test planning phase. In contrast, test planning involves defining the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of testing activities. Test control is about making adjustments to the test plan and taking corrective actions to steer the testing process back on track if needed. Finally, test closure involves the activities necessary to close off the test process after test execution is finished, which includes summarizing the results, learning from the testing, and archiving test artifacts.