How would you tackle this SAT question of the day?

<p>[The</a> Official SAT Question of the Day™](<a href=“http://apps.collegeboard.com/qotd/question.do]The”>http://apps.collegeboard.com/qotd/question.do)</p>

<p>The voice of gospel singer Marion Williams has been captivating listeners since 1947; it is lyrical in its expression of joy, yet ------- when singing of life’s sorrows.</p>

<li>exhilarating</li>
<li>melodious</li>
<li>stifling</li>
<li>sublime</li>
<li>poignant</li>
</ol>

<p>Now many of you probably know these words, but say if you were in my situation. I know that exhilarating is exciting and that was it unfortunately. I tried using roots Melodius sounds like melody and also sounds like a trap since you read lyrical and sing in the sentence. I also thought about the world melancholy and sadness. When you’re singing of life’s sorrows, it would feel like melancholoy, so melodious seemed a good choice but had a strong feeling towards musical and happy as well. Stifling sounded like stiff or negative. Sublime sounded very negative with sub(below) and lime, which together puts an image of dirty in my mind. Is there any word root with poignant that would have given it away? The answer explanation was confusing:</p>

<p>The word “yet” sets up a contrast between the singer’s ability to sound “lyrical,” or enthusiastic, when singing about joy and “poignant,” or touching, when singing of sadness.</p>

<p>If lyrical is enthusiastic, then surely songs of life’s sorrows have to do with sadness and melancholy. Is poignant just the best even though it doesn’t make the most sense?</p>

<p>Poignant is definitely the best choice. Poignant means that something affects your emotions in a way that’s almost painful or distressful.</p>

<p>Exhilarating (impassioned) doesn’t contrast with lyrical.</p>

<p>Melodious (sweet-sounding) doesn’t contrast with lyrical.</p>

<p>Sublime (complete or outstanding) doesn’t contrast with lyrical.</p>

<p>yeah, its poignant. poignant does make the most sense.</p>