Which of the following includes cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and marketable securities?

The correct choice is identified as including cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and marketable securities, all of which are classified as current assets. Current assets are defined as assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed within one year or within the operating cycle of the business, whichever is longer.

Cash is the most liquid asset and is readily available for use in business operations. Accounts receivable represents amounts owed to the company by customers, which are typically settled within a short period. Inventory includes goods that are intended for sale or used in production, and marketable securities are financial instruments that can be quickly converted into cash. These items collectively reflect a company's short-term liquidity and operational capacity.

In contrast, fixed assets, often known as property, plant, and equipment, are long-term tangible assets that are used in the production process and not intended for resale. Non-current assets also encompass long-term investments and intangible assets, which are not included in the definition of current assets. Long-term liabilities, on the other hand, refer to obligations that are due beyond one year, making them unrelated to the definition of cash and similar short-term resources.