Final answer:
The group of bones that are part of the axial skeleton is the rib cage, as it is part of the central axis of the body, unlike the pectoral girdle, arms and hands, and pelvic girdle which are part of the appendicular skeleton.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which group of bones are part of the axial skeleton. The axial skeleton includes the bones that form the central axis of the body which are the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage or rib cage. Therefore, out of the options provided, the rib cage (B) is part of the axial skeleton. The pectoral and pelvic girdles and the limbs form the appendicular skeleton which includes the bones of the appendages and their connection points to the axial skeleton. This would exclude options A, C, and D as they are components of the appendicular skeleton, not the axial.