When should brakes be applied before entering a turn?

Answer: C — Entering a turn.

Applying brakes before entering a turn is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring safety while riding a motorcycle. As you prepare to enter a turn, reducing your speed allows for better handling and stability. This step is essential because turning requires a different approach compared to straight-line riding, and a proper decrease in speed enables the rider to lean into the turn appropriately without losing traction. By adjusting your speed before initiating the turn, you can better manage the motorcycle's center of gravity and reduce the risk of skidding or tipping over. Additionally, this allows you to more accurately judge the turning radius and navigate through the turn smoothly. It is important to avoid braking while leaning into the turn, as this can lead to loss of control, so doing so beforehand is a key skill in safe motorcycle operation. Other options, such as driving into an intersection or switching on signal lights, pertain to different aspects of riding and traffic management rather than specifically addressing the dynamics of turning. Shifting between gears, while an important aspect of riding, is not directly related to the timing of brake application before a turn. Focusing on braking beforehand helps to set the rider up for a safer and more controlled maneuver.