Man this question would sink me because of the misnomer that HTML is a programming language.

It’s basically gambling on the nerdiness of the question’s writer. Do they think HTML is a programming language? Do they know that people think it’s a programming language and trying to trap them? Do they know it’s not a programming language but also know most people would think it is one and so are using the common, loose definition of a programming language in order not to trap people?

My brain would melt

If the question writer was aware, they would have formulated the question differently. It’s just not clear-cut whether HTML is a programming language or not, so you wouldn’t be quizzing their knowledge, but rather just whether they hold the same opinion as you. Or whether they meta-gamed correctly. Neither of which make for a fun show…