Final answer:
A microwave is the consumer good more likely to be owned by a family in a developed nation due to higher industrialization and the availability of manufactured goods that offer convenience for domestic life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consumer good more likely to be owned by a family in a developed nation than one in a less developed country is a microwave. Developed nations typically have a higher level of industrialization, which makes manufactured goods like microwaves more abundant and widely available. In contrast, items like lightbulbs, shovels, and wool blankets are considered more basic necessities, which are commonly found in both developed and less developed countries. Therefore, the relative abundance of consumer goods, particularly those which are non-essential, is a key indicator of a nation's level of development.
As history shows, the automation of the manufacturing process made products that were once luxury items widely available for the first time. With an increase in disposable income, families in developed countries could then afford new and improved appliances to make domestic life more convenient, elevating their living standards and transforming routines at home. Hence, a microwave, being a modern kitchen appliance, serves as a strong symbol of this transformation and industrial progress.