HTML and CSS Certification Practice Test

A semantic HTML element is one that clearly describes its purpose and meaning both to the browser and the developer, ensuring that the role of the element is understood in the context of the content structure. For instance, elements like `<header>`, `<article>`, `<footer>`, and `<section>` are semantic because they convey the meaning of the content they encapsulate. This enhances accessibility, making it easier for screen readers to interpret the content, and improves SEO as search engines can better understand the webpage's structure and relevance.

In contrast, elements that lack semantic meaning typically do not convey information about their content, like `<div>` and `<span>`, which serve purely as containers without inherent meaning. Elements focused on presentation, such as those manipulated purely through CSS for styling purposes, do not provide context concerning their content. Additionally, elements that adjust their output based on screen size pertain to responsive design rather than the semantic roles of the HTML elements themselves.