Premise:
"It grew from 5.2 billion pieces in 1987 to 9.9 billion pieces in 1997."
Hypothesis: the number of pieces grew in a linear fashion, as opposed to an exponential one.

it is not possible to tell

Premise:
"They're every bit as awkward as their critics accuse them of being."
Hypothesis: Under great scrutiny by critics, they were still very calm and collected with no hint of awkwardness.

no

Premise:
"It is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and many large resort hotels have been built here to take advantage of it."
Hypothesis: The beach is the most popular on the island.
it is not possible to tell