General Training Task 1 letter

IELTS General Training Letter: Cancelling a gym membership

Question type: General Training Task 1: formal letter

The question

You are a member of a gym, but you have decided to cancel your membership.

Write a letter to the manager of the gym. In your letter: - give your membership details - explain why you want to cancel - say what you want the gym to do

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...

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How to approach it

Put the membership number and start date in the first paragraph.
Give a clear, reasonable explanation. You do not need to complain unless you want to.
End with exact requests: the date of cancellation, stopping payments and written confirmation.

Sample letter

208 words (minimum 150). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to inform you that I wish to cancel my membership of Riverside Fitness Centre. My membership number is 20761, and I joined on 1 February last year. I currently pay a monthly fee of 35 pounds by direct debit.

The reason for my decision is that I have recently been offered a new job in another city and will be moving there at the end of next month. As a result, I will no longer be able to use the gym. I would like to add that I have been very satisfied with the facilities and with the helpfulness of your staff, and I am sorry to be leaving.

According to my contract, members must give one month's notice. Please treat this letter as that notice and cancel my membership from 30 June. I would be grateful if you could stop the direct debit after the June payment has been taken, and confirm in writing that no further payments will be requested.

I also have a locker, number 118, which I will empty before my final visit. Could you let me know whether the key should be returned to reception?

Thank you for your help with this matter. I look forward to receiving your confirmation.

Yours faithfully,

Ahmed Rahman

Useful language from this answer

I am writing to inform you that I wish to…: a formal opening for a decision
the reason for my decision is that…: explaining clearly
please treat this letter as…: making the letter count as official notice
confirm in writing that…: asking for proof
thank you for your help with this matter: a polite formal ending

Common mistakes with this question

Leaving out the membership details. The first bullet asks for them.
Not saying what the gym should do. Ask for cancellation, an end to payments and confirmation.
Writing too informally: 'I want to quit the gym'. Use 'I wish to cancel my membership'.

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This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.