Final answer:
The term BRICs refers to Brazil, Russia, India, and China, upper-middle-income countries known for their high rates of economic growth. China and India are prominent examples with nearly 40% of the global population between them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term often used to describe upper-middle-income countries that achieve the highest rates of economic growth is BRICs. This acronym stands for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which are considered the fast-growth economies with large populations and significant influence on global affairs. The phrase was created to highlight the economic potential of these countries as they were expected to be the future powerhouses of the global economy.
Two prominent members often associated with high rates of growth are China and India. Together, they comprise nearly 40% of the world's population and have registered impressive economic growth figures in contrast to some high-income countries like the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, which belong to the slow-growth club.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is C) BRICs.