Ace the GRE Basic Vocabulary 2025 – Unleash Your Word Power and Succeed!

The term "affectation" refers to behavior that is unnatural or designed to impress others rather than to express genuine feelings or characteristics. It often involves adopting certain airs or mannerisms that are not authentically part of a person's personality. When someone exhibits affectation, it typically indicates a deliberate attempt to present themselves in a certain way, aiming to attract admiration or approval from others. This desire to impress is key to understanding why "C" is the correct choice.

In contrast, the other options relate to more authentic and sincere aspects of behavior. Genuine honesty suggests straightforwardness; natural charm implies an unforced quality that draws people in without contrivance; and spontaneous reactions are typically associated with authenticity and immediacy. All of these characteristics stand in opposition to the concept of affectation, which revolves around pretense and artifice rather than genuine expression.