HTML and CSS Certification Practice Test

To create a text area in HTML, the structure of the tag must conform to the correct syntax specified by the HTML standard. The correct answer, which uses the `<textarea></textarea>` element, is the proper way to define a multi-line text input field where users can enter text. This tag is a block-level element, meaning it can contain text over multiple lines and allows for greater flexibility compared to single-line input fields, enabling functionality such as text wrapping and adjustable sizing through CSS and attributes.

The `<textarea>` element can also include attributes such as `rows` and `cols` to define the visible dimensions of the text area, as well as other attributes like `placeholder`, `name`, or `id` to enhance its usability. This level of customization is why using the `<textarea>` tag is essential for effectively gathering user input over multiple lines.

The other choices either do not exist as valid HTML syntax or do not properly create a text area. This assertion highlights the importance of understanding the correct HTML markup to ensure functionality and compliance with web standards.