Premise: He held his cap in his hands, twisting it very carefully round and round.

Hypothesis: Twisting his cap in his hands was important for him.
Answer: it is not possible to tell

Premise: But this caveat has a The prospect of future punishments gives you an incentive to investigate the corporation's history before you buy, which improves the chance that bad behavior can be uncovered while the actual perpetrators can still be punished.

Hypothesis: The prospect of punishment won't encourage research into the history of a corporation.
Answer: no

Premise: What about Mrs. Cavendish?

Hypothesis: What happened to Mrs. Cavendish?
Answer: yes

Premise: Purists complain that the cubist effect of steep hillsides dotted with square, flat-roofed houses has been spoiled by modern development, but the beaches all around are still pleasant.

Hypothesis: The hillsides remain untouched but, the beaches have become polluted, disgusting, and ruined.
Answer: no