CELPIP Writing Task 1 Template — Notice / Cancellation Email

Writing Task 1 on the CELPIP-General test is a single email of 150–200 words, written in about 27 minutes, that responds to a short situation and three bullet points you must cover. This guide focuses on one of the trickiest variants: the notice or cancellation email — cancelling a booking, appointment, subscription, or membership, giving notice on a lease or a job, or withdrawing from a course. The challenge is that you have to deliver unwelcome news clearly while staying polite and handling the practical details (dates, refunds, next steps). Below you get a repeatable structure, two tone-graded phrase banks, a model answer at CLB 9+, and a breakdown of what separates the bands.

What the examiner is looking for

Writing Task 1 is scored on four criteria. Here is what each means for a cancellation email and how to hit it.

• Content & Coherence — Did you address all three bullets and connect your ideas logically? How to hit it: state the cancellation in the first or second sentence, then move in order through reason, logistics, and close. Use linking words so the reader never gets lost.
• Vocabulary — Range and precision of word choice, used naturally. How to hit it: avoid repeating "cancel" five times; rotate in withdraw, terminate, give notice, will not be able to attend. Pair the right verb with the right context (you terminate a lease, you cancel a reservation).
• Readability — Grammar, spelling, sentence variety, and paragraphing. How to hit it: write 4 short paragraphs, mix simple and complex sentences, and leave 2 minutes to proofread for verb tense and articles.
• Task Fulfilment — Did you fully complete the task at the right register and length? How to hit it: match the tone to the reader (a landlord is formal; a gym is semi-formal), cover every bullet with real detail, and land inside 150–200 words.

Plan first: the rule of 3

Spend the first 3–4 minutes planning, not writing. A cancellation email almost always asks you to do three things, so map one short paragraph to each before you type a word:

1. The cancellation itself — what exactly are you cancelling, and from when?
2. The reason — one honest, brief explanation. You are not on trial; a single sentence is plenty.
3. The logistics — refund, deposit, replacement, final date, or what you need the reader to do next.

Wrap those three in a greeting and a courteous close and your email almost writes itself. Now build it step by step.

Step 1 — Open and state the cancellation

Greet the reader appropriately, then state your purpose in the very first sentence. Do not bury it under small talk — examiners reward a clear opening, and so does any real reader. For example: "I am writing to cancel my reservation for the conference room on June 24th, which I booked last week (booking #4471)." Including a reference number or date here shows control of detail and prevents the email feeling vague.

Step 2 — Give a brief, honest reason

One or two sentences explaining why. The reason should sound genuine and proportionate to the situation — a clash of dates, an illness, a change of plans, a financial decision. For example: "Unfortunately, a mandatory work commitment has come up on the same afternoon, and I am unable to reschedule it." Resist the urge to over-explain or apologise three times; a calm, confident reason scores higher than a flood of excuses.

Step 3 — Handle the logistics

This is where most test-takers lose points by being too thin. Address the practical consequence directly: the refund, the deposit, the final date, the notice period, or the next step. Ask a clear question if you need one answered. For example: "Could you let me know whether my deposit can be refunded, or whether it may be applied to a future booking instead?" Concrete logistics prove you have thought the situation through and give the reader something to act on.

Step 4 — Apologise lightly and close courteously

Acknowledge any inconvenience once, thank the reader, and sign off. For example: "I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your help in arranging the refund." Then a closing line and your name. Keep it warm but brief — the goodwill in your close is what makes the cancellation land softly.

The fill-in template

Copy this skeleton and swap in the details from your prompt. It is built to land naturally inside 150–200 words.

Dear [name / Sir or Madam],

I am writing to [cancel / withdraw from / give notice on] my [booking / membership / lease / course] for [item + date], reference [number if given].

Unfortunately, [brief reason in one sentence], and so I will be unable to [continue / attend / keep the reservation].

[Logistics: refund or deposit question] Could you please let me know [what you need — refund, final date, next step]? My cancellation should take effect from [date].

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for [your understanding / arranging this].

[Closing — Sincerely / Best regards],
[Your name]

Phrase bank by tone

Match the register to your reader. A landlord, employer, or formal institution gets the Formal column; a gym, clinic, or service provider usually fits Semi-formal; a club run by people you know can take Friendly. Pick one column and stay in it.

Clear vs. vague cancellation

The single biggest score-killer in this variant is being unclear about what you are cancelling and from when. Compare the two columns and always aim for the left one.

Model answer

This sample (about 180 words) responds to a prompt asking you to email a fitness club to cancel your membership, explain why, and ask about your remaining payments.

Why this answer scores high

• Opening (Content & Task Fulfilment): The first sentence states the cancellation, names the membership, gives the member ID, and sets an effective date — all four key details in one clean line. The examiner instantly sees the task is being addressed.
• Reason paragraph (Coherence & Vocabulary): One honest reason (a relocation), followed by a warm line that softens the news without grovelling. "not a decision I have taken lightly" shows idiomatic range.
• Logistics paragraph (Task Fulfilment): It handles the notice period, asks two precise questions (no further payments, the deposit refund), and offers cooperation. This is the bullet most candidates underdevelop; here it is the strongest paragraph.
• Close (Readability & tone): A single light apology, a clear request for written confirmation, and a genuine thank-you. The register stays semi-formal throughout, with varied sentence lengths and clean grammar.

What CLB 7, 9 and 11 look like

• CLB 7: All three bullets are covered and the message is understandable, but the writing leans on simple sentences and basic words (cancel, want, please). Expect minor errors in articles, prepositions, or verb tense, and a slightly flat tone. The reader gets the point but the logistics may be a little thin.
• CLB 9: Clear, well-organised paragraphs with confident linking words and good control of register. Vocabulary is varied (effective from, notice period, confirm, refundable) and errors are few and non-intrusive. The model answer above sits comfortably here.
• CLB 11: Effortless, precise, and natural. Sentence structures vary fluidly, word choice is exact, and the tone is perfectly judged — polite but not over-apologetic. Idiomatic touches (not a decision I have taken lightly) appear without sounding forced, and every detail the reader could need is anticipated.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Burying the cancellation. Do not spend two sentences on pleasantries before saying what you want. State it up front.
• Forgetting the date or effective point. "I want to cancel" without a from when leaves the most important logistic missing.
• Over-apologising. Three apologies read as anxious and waste words. One sincere line is enough.
• Skipping the money/next-step question. The refund, deposit, or final-payment detail is usually one of the three bullets — leaving it out costs Task Fulfilment marks.
• Mismatched tone. Writing "Hey, sorry to bail!" to a landlord, or stiff legalese to a friendly club, breaks register.
• Wrong length. Under 150 words usually means thin logistics; over 200 means you padded. Plan three tight paragraphs and trim.