Which component controls the compression and rebound of the springs?

The correct choice is shock absorbers, as they are specifically designed to control the compression and rebound of the springs in a vehicle's suspension system. When a car hits a bump or a pothole, the springs compress to absorb the impact, and when the surface returns to flat, the springs extend back out. Shock absorbers dampen this action, ensuring that the springs do not oscillate excessively. By absorbing the kinetic energy created during compression, shock absorbers help maintain tire contact with the road, improve ride quality, and enhance vehicle stability.

Springs themselves provide the necessary support and elasticity for absorbing shocks, but they do not have the capability to dampen the movement. Control arms serve as a pivot point for the suspension system but do not influence the motion of the springs directly. Struts combine the functions of shock absorbers and springs in a single component, but they do not exclusively control the compression and rebound independently—this is a function primarily of the shock absorber mechanism within them.