Choice "B" is correct. The monitoring component or function of the internal control framework is designed to ensure that internal controls continue to operate effectively. Monitoring of internal control effectiveness is done to provide an assessment of the performance of the system of internal control over time. Monitoring is designed to ensure that internal controls operate effectively.Choice "c" is incorrect. The control environment is sometimes referred to as the "tone at the top." The control environment is the framework upon which all other principles are built. It is not as specifically designed to ensure that internal controls continue to operate effectively as is monitoring.Choice "a" is incorrect. The risk assessment component of the COSO framework includes principles associated with management's consideration of the risk of material misstatement, not the assurance that internal controls continue to operate effectively.Choice "d" is incorrect. The information and communication components of the COSO framework consider those systems that identify, capture, process, and distribute information supporting the accomplishment of financial reporting objectives, not the assurance that internal controls operate effectively.