Late Paper and Professor's Exception
You hear a conversation between a student, Elena, and Professor Grant. Elena: 'I'm sorry-I know the paper was due at 5 p.m. Friday. My laptop crashed Thursday night, and I lost the file. I have the repair receipt and a screenshot of the error message.' Professor: 'I appreciate you telling me. My syllabus says late papers lose 10 percent a day. I don't usually accept technology excuses, but with documentation, I can make an exception this once. Send me the file by Monday at noon, and I'll grade it without the late penalty. After that, the 10 percent rule applies.'
1. What does Professor Grant agree to do for Elena?
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He agrees to accept the paper by Monday at noon without the 10 percent late penalty, as a one-time exception. He does not change the syllabus rule generally. The agreement is conditional: Elena must provide documentation and meet the Monday noon deadline.
2. What can Elena infer if she submits the paper at 1 p.m. on Monday?
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The exception has expired. The professor says, 'After that, the 10 percent rule applies,' so a 1 p.m. submission is after the noon deadline. Elena should expect a 10 percent late penalty. She should not assume the whole day Monday is covered by the exception.
3. Why does the professor mention the syllabus?
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He mentions it to establish the default rule: late papers lose 10 percent a day. He is presenting the no-penalty Monday noon acceptance as an exception, not a new policy. This implies Elena should not expect the same flexibility again, and other late work will follow the syllabus rule.