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Let’s go step by step to fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms.

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Part 1: Present Simple (London description)

We use Present Simple for facts, habits, and general truths — which is perfect for describing London!

Let’s look at each blank:

1. “London... ______ (have) a population of eight million.”
→ This is a fact → has

2. “Some people say the city never ______ (sleep)”
→ General truth about the city → sleeps

3. “The London Eye ______ (to be) a big wheel.”
→ Fact → is

4. “It ______ (have) 32 capsules”
→ Fact → has

5. “each one ______ (hold) 25 people.”
→ Fact → holds

6. “The wheel ______ (not move) very fast”
→ Negative fact → does not move or doesn’t move

7. “a ride ______ (take) 30 minutes.”
→ Fact → takes

8. “A ticket ______ (cost) 11.50 pounds for adults.”
→ Fact → costs

9. “You ______ (not pay) for children under 5 years old.”
→ Negative fact → do not pay or don’t pay

10. “before if you ______ (not want) to wait for hours.”
→ Negative condition → do not want or don’t want

11. “The London Eye ______ (not work) late at night”
→ Negative fact → does not work or doesn’t work

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Part 2: Present Continuous (Postcard from Jamaica)

We use Present Continuous for actions happening *right now*.

Let’s fill in:

1. “the sun ______ (shine)” → happening now → is shining

2. “I ______ (lie) on the beach” → right now → am lying

3. “and ______ (watch) people in the sea.” → also happening now → am watching

4. “Most of them ______ (swim)” → right now → are swimming

5. “but two of them ______ (not swim)” → negative, happening now → are not swimming or aren’t swimming

6. “they ______ (stand) in the water” → right now → are standing

7. “and ______ (watch) the little fish” → right now → are watching

8. “A group of people ______ (play) volleyball” → right now → are playing

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✔ All answers checked for grammar and tense accuracy.

Final Answer:

Part 1: Present Simple

London, the capital city of the UK, has a population of eight million. It is a 24-hour city. Some people say the city never sleeps, so it's an exciting place to visit. There are many interesting things for tourists to do and see in London – the London Eye, for example. The London Eye is a big wheel. It has 32 capsules and each one holds 25 people. The wheel doesn't move very fast – a ride takes 30 minutes. A ticket costs 11.50 pounds for adults. You don't pay for children under 5 years old. It is better to book your tickets before if you don't want to wait for hours. The London Eye doesn't work late at night, but it is open every day, usually until 10 pm.

Part 2: Present Continuous

Well, here we are in Jamaica, and the sun is shining. I am lying on the beach and am watching people in the sea. Most of them are swimming, but two of them aren't swimming – they are standing in the water and are watching the little fish around their feet. A group of people are playing volleyball on the beach. The sun is very hot, so Julia