lagcity:

But we are all ignorant of something and will always be. If you are literate, you have the tool to get rid of your ignorance or lack of exposure in a particular area.
Look, I have never been to Japan before but if I plan to visit, I can read a book about Japanese culture and customs. I can learn the appropriate handshake, bow, eye contact, and chopstick technique so that I do not look like a complete idiot the moment I land at Tokyo airport. If I can't read, how do I begin to learn about Japan? I would have to go find a random Japanese or someone who knows about Japanese culture.

exactly what am saying

As long as there is room for improvement for both cases, Illiteracy is worse. Why do I say this?

1. If you have someone that is an illiterate but exposed, will it be easy for the person to acquire literacy?
2. If you have someone that is literate but not exposed, will it be easy for the person to acquire exposure?

Exposure is easier to acquire than literacy. This is just to make a habit of paying more attention to things, people, events etc. around you.
But to acquire literacy, don’t you know how many years one will have to spend in school?