Final answer:
A sales agent in the real estate industry may only accept compensation from the C) broker who is sponsoring them, as the broker is responsible for the management and oversight of their sales agents' activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is: A sales agent may not accept compensation for a real estate transaction from a person other than the broker who is sponsoring the sales agent or was sponsoring the sales agent when the sales agent earned the compensation. In real estate, the broker plays a pivotal role in managing sales agents and transactions.
The broker holds the necessary licenses and is ultimately responsible for the actions of their sales agents, including the distribution of compensation for completed transactions. Accepting compensation from any other source, such as a client, customer, or seller, is not permitted and can lead to legal and ethical issues within the real estate industry.