“Affectation” means behaviour, speech, or writing that is pretentious and designed to impress.
Option B is the correct answer because “pretence” means an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true, hence it is the correct answer.
Option A is incorrect because “boasting” means self praising about oneself, which doesn’t necessarily mean being pretentious, hence incorrect.
Option C is incorrect because “pedantry” means to have an excessive concern with minor details or rules, which Ian not the same as being pretentious, hence incorrect.
Option D is incorrect because “euphemism” means an indirect word substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt, which is not the same as pretence hence it is incorrect.