Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer:
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
HTML forms provide various controls for user input, including text fields, check boxes, radio buttons, and list boxes. Drop down list boxes and scrolling list boxes are commonly used when a user must choose from a predefined set of options. This question tests basic HTML knowledge by asking which tag is responsible for constructing these list type controls in a form.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers specifically to drop down list boxes and scrolling list boxes used in HTML forms.
- We assume a standard HTML environment in modern browsers.
- The focus is on the markup tag that defines the list element itself, not on the broader form element or individual option entries alone.
Concept / Approach:
In HTML, drop down and list style controls are created using the select element. The select tag defines the list control, while nested option elements define the individual selectable items. When the size attribute of select is 1, most browsers display a drop down list. When size is greater than 1, the browser typically shows a scrolling list box. The name attribute of select is used to send the selected value back to the server during form submission.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that a typical HTML drop down is written as <select name="city"> followed by several <option> elements and a closing </select> tag.
2. The tag select indicates to the browser that this element is a list control that can be rendered as a drop down or scroll box.
3. Inside the select element, each option tag represents a single choice the user can select.
4. There is no standard tag called <list> in HTML, and <input type="list"> is not the correct syntax for creating select style controls.
5. Therefore, the correct answer is the select tag, which is the core markup for both drop down and scrolling list boxes.
Verification / Alternative check:
An example snippet confirms this: <select name="country"> <option value="in">India</option> <option value="us">United States</option> </select>. Testing this HTML in a browser shows a drop down list. Changing or adding the size attribute, such as <select name="country" size="4">, often turns it into a scrolling list box. Both behaviours come from the select tag, not from input or any other tag.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, <input type="list">, is not standard HTML syntax for creating list boxes. The input element supports various types like text, checkbox, radio, and so on, but list boxes are not created this way. Option C, <option>, is part of the solution but not the main list container; option tags define individual items inside a select element, not the list itself. Option D, <list>, is not a valid HTML tag in standard HTML specifications. Only option A uses the correct and complete list control tag, select.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse the roles of select and option, assuming the option tag alone is sufficient to create a list. Others may mistakenly think that all inputs are created with the input tag and different type attributes, overlooking the separate select element. Remembering that select represents the whole list control and option represents each choice helps prevent this confusion. Understanding the basic HTML form elements is fundamental for web development and for any further work with JavaScript or server side form handling.
Final Answer:
The HTML tag used to create drop down list boxes and scrolling list boxes is the <select> element.
Discussion & Comments