English at University: 13 - Asking for extra time to complete your work

Mary's a good student and always does her work on time. The problem is Daniel's broken her laptop and lost her assignment. She's going to have to ask for more time to finish he work. Will she succeed?
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TRANSCRIPT
Narrator
Welcome back to English at University where we're following Mary's first year of study abroad and helping with some useful words and phrases. The new Business Studies students have been busy working on their first assignment and now the deadline is approaching to hand them in. Will they all complete their work on time? I'm sure you have Mary!
Mary
Me? Yes. Once I got my laptop problem fixed I saved my work onto that memory stick... oh no!
Narrator
What's wrong?
Mary
Daniel's got the memory stick. I must go and find him.
Narrator
Good luck!
Prof.Not
Hello Mary! Looking forward to reading that assignment of yours. Don't forget to email me by the end of the day.
Mary
Yes... yes of course you'll get it tonight.
Prof.Not
Good. Don't forget it counts towards 20 per cent of your final exam mark. See you later.
Mary
Really! Now where is Daniel when you need him?
Narrator
Yes, where is he? If you can't find him you're going to miss the deadline – may I suggest you ask for an extension. An extra period of time to get your work finished. You need to apologise to Sharon and say 'I'm having problems meeting the deadline for my assignment' and try to talk her round so that she gives you a bit more time.
Mary
But I've done my work.
Narrator
We know that - but you haven't got it with you to hand in. So make sure you explain everything to Sharon and reassure her you'll get it sorted – but remember you don't get extensions for any old reason.
Mary
Ok thanks. I'll go and see her now.
Sharon
Oh cheeky. Well we'll do it again if you... oh hello Mary. I'll call you back. How are things?
Mary
Good, ok, bad really. I can't find Daniel... he's got my assignment... well… it's saved on his memory stick.
Sharon
Left it in his room did you?
Mary
No! Nothing like that. I've got to email it to Professor Not today and I can't find it... so I was wondering... well, 'I'm having problems meeting the deadline for my assignment… so is it possible to get an extension for my assignment - please?
Sharon
We can't hand out extensions willy-nilly.
Mary
I have a very good reason for asking. I mean, it's written, it's just I can't find it.
Sharon
Hmmm.
Mary
If I could have just one more day before I hand it in, I'd be most grateful?
It won't happen again. Please?
Sharon
Look, I'm seeing Robert... I mean Professor Not… this evening to go over some documents... and I could put in a good word for you... that means say you're hard working, normally reliable and you won't do it again. OK?
Mary
Sharon, you are amazing!
Sharon
Ooo, nobody's ever called me that before!
Narrator
Phew! It looks like Mary has managed to sweet talk Sharon into getting a deadline extension – but she had to be polite and humble. Here's a reminder of some of the phrases she used…
I'm having problems meeting the deadline for my assignment
Is it possible to get an extension for my assignment please?
I have a very good reason for asking.
If I could have just one more day before I hand it in, I'd be most grateful.
It won't happen again.
You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for studying in the UK on our website at bbclearningenglish.com. All Mary needs to do now is find Daniel and get hold of that memory stick.
Daniel
Ah Mary, there you are – I've been looking all over the place for you.
Mary
Me too! I need that memory stick – it's got my assignment saved on it. Daniel – I had to go and ask Sharon for extra time to hand it in.
Daniel
You managed to win her over did you! Well don't worry, I've got it here in my… my… oh no… it's gone… I must have dropped it.