Office Hours: Asking for an Essay Extension

B1 Foundation Office Hours

Instructions: skim the question stems, then press play and listen once, taking notes. Answer all 4 questions, check your score and error analysis — and only then open the study pack (transcript, vocabulary, paraphrases, model notes).

📦 Show transcript & study pack — only after you have answered

Full transcript

Student: Hi, Professor Alvarez? Do you have a minute? I'm Maya — I'm in your Tuesday writing class.
Professor: Of course, Maya. Come on in. What's on your mind?
Student: Well, it's about the essay that's due this Friday. My grandmother was taken to the hospital on Sunday, and I've been there with my family every day since. I honestly haven't been able to concentrate on the paper at all.
Professor: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she's doing better.
Student: She is, thank you. The thing is, I've got an outline and most of my notes, but there's no way I can write a full twelve pages by Friday. Would it be possible to have until next Wednesday?
Professor: Hmm. A whole extra week is difficult, Maya, because I grade the essays in order and the next unit builds on this one. But here's what I can do. Instead of the full twelve pages, write me a solid six-page version of the same argument by Monday morning. Same topic, same sources — just tighter. That way you stay on schedule with the class, and the workload fits your week.
Student: Six pages by Monday? That actually sounds doable.
Professor: Good. And if your family situation changes, email me before Monday, not after. Deal?
Student: Deal. Thank you so much, Professor.
Professor: Take care of your grandmother first. The essay will get done.

Difficult vocabulary

outline	a brief plan of the main points of a piece of writing, made before you write it
due	expected or scheduled to be finished or handed in at a particular time
concentrate on	to give all your attention to one thing
build on	to use something as a base for further development; later work depends on it
doable	possible to do; achievable within the limits you have

Important phrases

What's on your mind? — a friendly way to ask someone what they want to talk about or what is worrying them
Here's what I can do — used to introduce a compromise or alternative offer
stay on schedule — to keep up with the planned timetable and not fall behind

Paraphrases — what you heard vs what it means

You heard	It means
there's no way I can write a full twelve pages by Friday	it is impossible for me to finish the whole essay by Friday
A whole extra week is difficult	I cannot easily agree to a full week's extension
just tighter	more concise — the same content in fewer pages, with nothing wasted

Note-taking analysis — model notes

Reason: grandmother in hospital since Sunday Request: extension until next Wed Problem: prof grades in order; next unit builds on this essay Offer: 6 pages instead of 12, same topic + sources New deadline: Monday morning Condition: email BEFORE Monday if situation changes

Compare with your own notes: did you catch the main claim, the arrows (cause/effect), the contrasts and the compressed examples?

All listening exercises