QUES: State Rep. Ron Wilson , D-Houston , joined committee Republicans in voting for the map .

State Rep. Ron Wilson , a Houston Democrat , joined nine Republicans in approving the bill Saturday .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: The Standard & Poor 's 500 index declined 6.11 , or 0.6 per cent , to 1003.27 , having shed 19.67 in the previous session .

The Standard & Poor 's 500 index declined by 4.39 , or 0.4 percent , to 998.88 , after losing 6.11 on Thursday .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: Its legal representatives began meeting with plaintiffs ' attorneys last week to discuss a settlement .

Attorneys for both the archdiocese and the plaintiffs began meeting last week to reach the out-of-court settlement .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS:
yes