Which option correctly represents the components included in the cost of goods sold (COGS)?

• A. Rent expenses.
• B. Marketing and advertising costs.
• C. Raw materials and parts used to make the product.
• D. Utilities and overhead costs.

Answer: (C)

COGS covers the costs tied directly to producing the goods that were sold. The most representative component here is the raw materials and parts used to make the product, because these inputs become part of the finished goods and are consumed in production. In practice, COGS includes direct materials, direct labor, and allocated manufacturing overhead. The other options describe costs not tied to the production of goods sold: marketing and advertising are selling expenses, and rent or utilities may be general overhead rather than the direct production inputs. So raw materials and parts used to make the product is the component that belongs in COGS.