The company's claim of environmental concern was merely a pretense to avoid stricter regulations on its manufacturing processes.
该公司声称关心环境，不过是为了避免对其制造过程实行更严格监管的借口。
Which choice best defines “pretense”?
A — A false reason or explanation. “pretense” means a false reason or explanation.
Which word means “a false reason or explanation”?
A — pretense. “pretense” means a false reason or explanation.
pretense — a false reason or explanation. In Chinese: 借口，虚伪.
pretense is pronounced /ˈpriːtɛns/.
The company's claim of environmental concern was merely a pretense to avoid stricter regulations on its manufacturing processes. (该公司声称关心环境，不过是为了避免对其制造过程实行更严格监管的借口。)
excuse, sham, affectation — all close in meaning to pretense (a false reason or explanation).
honesty, sincerity — each the opposite of pretense (a false reason or explanation).
Yes. pretense is on the SAT Prep Easy list — mid-frequency academic words that do get tested. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.