What is the correct completion of the sentence: Even though the recession is already over, and jobs are once again becoming increasingly __________, the fear of another economic crisis still __________.

The completion of the sentence using "plentiful" and "persists" effectively conveys the idea that, despite the recovery from the recession leading to an increase in job availability, the anxiety related to the possibility of another economic downturn continues to be a significant concern.

Using "plentiful" creates a positive connotation regarding the job market, indicating that there are many jobs available. This aligns well with the context of the sentence, which highlights a recovery phase. On the other hand, "persists" captures the ongoing nature of fear regarding future economic instability, suggesting that this fear remains unresolved even with improvements in employment opportunities.

This combination aptly reflects the complexity of human emotions in response to economic changes—highlighting the contrast between improvements in the job market and lingering anxieties about the economy as a whole.