The company's _________ growth in revenue surprised analysts.
Step 1: Analyze the context of growth.
"Erratic" growth would imply irregular, unpredictable changes, which does not fit the context of the sentence.
"Gradual" growth implies steady, consistent increase over time, which is appropriate for the context.
"Stagnant" implies no growth, which contradicts the sentence.
"Exponential" would suggest a rapid, accelerating increase, which is not implied here.
Step 2: Conclusion.
"Gradual" growth is the most suitable choice because it matches the context of analysts being surprised by steady, incremental growth. Thus, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{{gradual}}. \]
Five friends A, B, C, D, and E are sitting in a row facing north, but not necessarily in the same order:
B is to the immediate left of C
E is not at any of the ends
D is to the right of E but not next to C
A is at one of the ends
Who is sitting in the middle?