Able to read and write (8)
I believe the answer is:
literate
'able to read and write' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for literate that I've seen before include "well expressed" , "Relate it, being well read" , "properly educated" , "Well-read" , "Able to read and write" .)