B2 – Upper Intermediate
The term “Third-World country” was first used in the 1950s as a way to group countries. The capitalist, economically developed countries like the US were classified as “First World”. The communist states led by the Soviet Union were in the “Second World” country group. The remaining countries were included in the “Third World” category.
However, in more recent times, the term “Third World” has been deemed by some as offensive.
Let’s read the article and know more why this term has become outdated and insulting.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the phrase “strike as” mean? “When she heard the label growing up, she says it struck her as making “this assumption about people outside of the ‘First World’ — that they lived really different lives, the assumption they were poor, they should be happy to eat every day.” Use it in your own sentence.
- What is the meaning of the idiom “in some respects“? “And when you think about it, “developing countries” are quite developed in some respects. In countries where government safety nets are practically nonexistent, people step forward to help out.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What does “to loom large” mean? “That’s the ‘Fourth World’, Farmer says, referring to parts of the United States and other wealthy nations where health and economic problems loom large.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you agree that the term “Third World” is old-fashioned and insulting? Why or why not?
- What is your opinion on the alternative terms to “Third World” mentioned in the article? Which one/s do you think is the best term to use to refer to such countries and why?
- Share your insights on this statement, “There is no ‘Third World.’ There were the oppressed and the oppressors.“
- State your thoughts, “D’Silva once heard the late Hans Rosling talk about countries that aren’t yet in the upper-income category. He said, “They’re the rest of the world.” And, she says, why not just call them by their names?“