The term cumulatively implies which of the following?

• A. Gradually increasing
• B. Increasing due to the constant addition of other elements
• C. Snowballing
• D. Decreasing

Answer: (A)

Cumulatively describes something that builds up over time as pieces are added, so the total becomes larger. The idea is the ongoing addition of elements producing a steady, overall rise, rather than a sudden jump or a drop. So the best description is a gradual increase as more is accumulated. The others miss the general sense: decreasing is the opposite, and snowballing implies a rapid surge that isn’t inherent to the idea of accumulation, while the notion of a constant rate of addition is more specific than what cumulatively necessarily conveys.