1. The material was originally interesting in the 1950s because its high melting point and tensile strength were more desirable than that of the more common form of polyethylene .
2. The material was originally interesting in the 1950s because its high melting point and its high tensile strength were more desirable than the more common form of polyethylene .

Select your answer from the options. Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?

(1). no
(2). yes...I think the answer is
(2).