Which of the following definitions best describes the term illiteracy? a. The lack of access to higher education
b. The lack of belief in a higher power
c. The loss of a local group’s cultural or religious identity
d. The inability to read or write
e. None of these

d. The inability to read or write

Explanation:

"Literacy" refers to the ability of a person to read or write/ to become educated. Therefore, illiteracy is the opposite. It refers to the inability of a person to read or write.

Choice a is not the best term for illiteracy because the person may have learned reading and writing already, yet due to some reasons (e.g. financial constraint), he cannot proceed to higher education.

Choice b is not the best term for illiteracy. A lack of belief in a higher power maybe associated to the term, "Atheism."

Choice c is not the best term for illiteracy because losing one's local group's cultural identity and religious identity has nothing to do with reading and writing.