The dramatic change in the number of Oklahoma’s oil workers (from 34,000 in the early 1970s to 102,000 in 1981 to another drop soon after) indicates the __________ quality of Oklahoma’s oil economy.

The number of oil workers rose from 34,000 to 102,000, then dropped again soon after. That sharp rise followed by a decline shows a boom-and-bust pattern, so the correct choice is “boom-and-bust.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.