Final answer:
The teacher's decision to award extra credit, despite her usual rule against it, likely stems from the circumstances of the student's illness and the exceptional quality of the work submitted, emphasizing educational equity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contradiction in the teacher's action of awarding extra credit to a student who had been ill but submitted an exceptional paper can best be explained by understanding the dynamics surrounding student performance, educational equity, and the context of the situation. While the teacher may have a general rule against extra credit, special circumstances, such as a student's illness, can provide a valid reason to make an exception. By recognizing the extraordinary effort and quality exhibited by the student, despite adverse conditions, the teacher may feel it just to reward the determination and hard work, aligning with the ethos of educational equity and also serving as an encouragement to overcome personal challenges.