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Session 4
Vocabulary: 9 uses of 'sound'
Sit back and enjoy the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and learn nine different ways to use the word 'sound'
Activity 1
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde part one - 9 uses of 'sound'
The story of the respectable gentleman - and a violent and detestable man
The English word sound has many meanings and uses. In this session, we bring you BBC Learning English's own version of the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - and we've found many different ways to use the word sound in it.
To do
As you watch part one of the story, listen out for the different uses of the word sound - and decide whether this summary of the story is correct or wrong:
- John, the lawyer, thinks that Mr Hyde is causing trouble for his friend, Dr Jekyll
Watch the video and complete the activity

Jonny
Hello, I'm Jonny. Today's story is set in 19th century London and tells the story of the respectable gentleman who has a curious relationship with a violent and detestable man.
The story begins with a man called John Utterson – he's a lawyer – and he's trying to sound out a friend about an odd situation he's seen. He saw another man, called Mr Hyde, trampling on a young girl. He compensated the girl's family for this by paying them with a cheque but this was signed by another man called Dr Jekyll.
Strange. By the sound of it, Dr Jekyll's will has also been changed so Mr Hyde will inherit everything. John Utterson concludes that the evil Mr Hyde is blackmailing Dr Jekyll and goes to see Jekyll – but he sounds annoyed and doesn't want to discuss it.
Later on, a man's body is found and it's thought that Mr Hyde is the murderer. John helps the police by taking them to Mr Hyde's apartment where they find the murder weapon – a walking cane that John had given to Dr Jekyll as a gift. John doesn't like the sound of this and wants to find out more.
Then for a while, there's not a sight or sound of Mr Hyde but then one day, one of John's friends suddenly dies but before he does he gives John a letter saying it must not be opened until Dr Jekyll's death.
This is a bit of a mystery but I'll leave it there for now. Join me again soon to find out what happens next. Bye for now.
To do
How was that? The summary was correct.
Now, have a go at our quiz to check you know the first 5 uses of sound.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - the story so far...
5 Questions
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Help
Activity
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Hint
John tries to 'sound out' a friend about this strange situation.Question 1 of 5
Help
Activity
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Hint
Jonny says "By the sound of it, Dr Jekyll's will has also been changed so Mr Hyde will inherit everything."Question 2 of 5
Help
Activity
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Hint
Dr Jekyll sounds annoyed.Question 3 of 5
Help
Activity
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Hint
What's the meaning of 'doesn't like the sound of it'?Question 4 of 5
Help
Activity
Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with sound. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.
Hint
What does 'not a sight or sound of' mean?Question 5 of 5
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
Next
It's time to find out what happens next - and to learn some more uses of sound! See you on the next page.
Session Vocabulary
sound out (B2)
talk to someone to find out their thoughts and ideasby the sound of it (C2)
basing your ideas on information you have heard or readsounds (B2)
seemsdoesn't like the sound of (something) (C1)
is unhappy about a situation he has heard aboutnot a sight or sound of (someone) (C2)
nobody has seen or heard from (someone)