In HTML5, which of the following are considered new media elements introduced to handle audio and video content natively in the browser?

Introduction / Context:
Earlier versions of HTML required browser plugins such as Flash or custom media players to handle audio and video on web pages. HTML5 introduced native media elements that allow web developers to embed and control multimedia without external plugins. This question checks whether you can correctly identify the new media elements that are specifically designed for audio and video playback in modern browsers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on HTML5 media elements, not generic structural tags.
• Browsers now provide built in support for playing audio and video files.
• Plugins like Flash are no longer recommended for media playback.
• The options mix media elements with other unrelated HTML elements.

Concept / Approach:
HTML5 introduced the <audio> and <video> elements as dedicated containers for multimedia content. These elements support attributes such as controls, autoplay, loop, and preload, and they allow sources in different formats through nested <source> tags. The browser is responsible for rendering playback controls and decoding supported media formats. In contrast, <div> and <span> are generic containers, <table> and <tr> are for tabular data, and <form> and <input> handle user input. Therefore, the correct answer must explicitly mention the <audio> and <video> tags.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that HTML5 media support is based on the <audio> and <video> elements. Step 2: Note that media elements provide attributes for playback control and can be styled using Cascading Style Sheets. Step 3: Evaluate option a, which correctly lists <audio> and <video> and describes their purpose as native playback without plugins. Step 4: Compare with option b, where <div> and <span> are generic layout elements that do not have built in media features. Step 5: Recognise that options c and d describe table and form elements, which are unrelated to audio and video playback.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify media element behaviour by writing a simple HTML5 page with <audio controls src="sound.mp3"></audio> or <video controls src="clip.mp4"></video>. Opening this page in a modern browser will show native playback controls with no plugin installation. Replacing these tags with <div> or <span> will display no media playback interface, confirming that only <audio> and <video> are the dedicated media elements introduced in HTML5 for this purpose.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is incorrect because <div> and <span> existed long before HTML5 and are used only for structuring content, not for media. Option c, <table> and <tr>, is used for tabular layouts, and option d, <form> and <input>, is used to collect user data. None of these elements provide native media controls or decoding abilities.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is assuming that any element can be turned into a media player with enough Cascading Style Sheets or JavaScript magic. While styling can change appearance, only <audio> and <video> integrate tightly with browser media engines. Another pitfall is forgetting to provide multiple source formats, which can cause playback issues across different browsers. Still, the fundamental media elements remain <audio> and <video> in HTML5.

Final Answer:
The new media elements introduced in HTML5 are the <audio> and <video> elements that allow native playback of sound and video without third party plugins.