Letter to a Friend About Joining a Climbing Gym

The question

How to approach this informal letter question

An informal letter goes to a friend or relative. Write naturally, with a personal tone, while still covering every bullet point.

1. Start with "Dear [first name]," and a friendly line.
2. Cover each bullet point with personal detail and feelings.
3. Use contractions and everyday expressions, but keep your grammar accurate.
4. Close with "Best wishes," or "Love," and your first name.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Opening: 'Dear' and your friend's name, then a relaxed line about how things are going and the news you want to share.
2. Paragraph 2: explain why you want to start climbing, perhaps linking it to fitness or seeing your friend's photos.
3. Paragraph 3: ask how much a monthly membership costs, including any joining fee or student discount.
4. Paragraph 4: ask what you need to bring on your first visit, such as clothing, shoes or an induction session.
5. Closing: sign off with 'Love' or 'See you soon', and mention that you would like your friend's advice.

Points to cover

• Motivation: you want a hobby that combines strength and problem solving, and you have been impressed by your friend's progress.
• Costs: monthly membership, joining fee, day passes, any student or off-peak discount.
• First visit: whether you need to hire climbing shoes or can bring your own, and what to wear, plus water and a towel.
• Induction: whether the gym offers a beginners' session or safety briefing before you can climb on the wall.
• Favour: ask your friend to come along on your first visit, which would make the experience less intimidating.

Useful vocabulary

• I've been thinking about giving climbing a go: I've been thinking about giving climbing a go for a while.
• What's the damage for a monthly membership?: What's the damage for a monthly membership, roughly?
• a joining fee: Is there a joining fee on top of the monthly payment?
• hire climbing shoes: Do you have to hire climbing shoes, or can I bring my own?
• a beginners' induction: Does the gym offer a beginners' induction before you can climb?
• kit: What kit do I need to bring on my first visit?
• I'm dying to try: I'm dying to try it, especially after seeing your photos.
• Would you mind coming along: Would you mind coming along on my first visit?
• Let me know when you're free: Let me know when you're free for a session.

Common mistakes

• Using a formal phrase such as 'I am writing to enquire' in a friendly letter to a close friend.
• Asking the three questions in one long sentence, so the reader misses one of them.
• Not explaining why you want to start, which is the first bullet point.
• Asking 'How much is it?' without distinguishing between a monthly membership and a joining fee.
• Ending with a formal sign-off such as 'Yours faithfully' in an informal letter.

Examiner tip: Keep the letter chatty but make your three questions easy to find, perhaps one paragraph each, so your friend can answer them quickly.