1. I'm afraid David's not here at the moment; he is (at) work.


2. The fire was (in) control by the time the second fire engine arrived.


3. The firm has been firing experienced staff and substituted younger people (for) them.


4. It's difficult to judge a person (by) his exterior.


5. He took charge (of) the government after the military took control in October.


6. The new year came ( around ) with a heavy snow storm.


7. The doctor advised my father to cut (off) smoking as he suffers from a cold now.


8. Despite all human efforts (to) the contrary, death is one of life's only two certainties.


9. If he was devoted (to) his wife and children, then he must have a soft heart below that hard exterior.


10. From the viewpoint (of) the teacher, the new tests just mean more work.