Echoes: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, definitely. A couple of years ago, I went hiking in a rocky valley in the Lake District. I shouted out towards the steep cliffs and was amazed when my voice bounced back clearly a second later. It felt quite magical.

I suppose mountain ranges or deep gorges are ideal because the hard rock faces reflect sound really well. Having said that, large man-made structures like empty underground car parks can also produce a surprisingly loud resonance if you clap your hands.

Oh, absolutely. Whenever my family drove through a long road tunnel, my brother and I used to shout silly words out of the car window just to hear them reverberate. It was harmless fun and kept us thoroughly entertained on long journeys.

To be honest, I find them quite irritating. If a flat has bare floorboards and high ceilings, even normal conversation can sound muffled and harsh. I much prefer cosy spaces with rugs and curtains that absorb background noise properly.

I'd really love to, actually. I've read about historic domed cathedrals where a tiny whisper can travel right across an entire hall. Experiencing that kind of unique acoustic phenomenon in person would be absolutely fascinating.