Premise: They shook hands in the Dim style, fingers interlocked into a pair of cooperating fists.

Hypothesis: The men refused to shake each other's hand.
Answer: no

Premise: you know and then you can put him on trial

Hypothesis: After that, you can put him on trial
Answer: yes

Premise: One goal is to get the state Legislature to pass a law to provide loan forgiveness to medical professionals and lawyers who work with the poor.

Hypothesis: Perhaps Legislature can help the poor who need medical attention and lawyers by providing loan forgiveness.
Answer: yes

Premise: While Plotz is right that the number of challenges remaining seems to be decreasing--it could hardly increase--I find it almost impossible to believe that previous record-setters were driven by the kind of practical, commercial concerns that Plotz ascribes to Ferdinand Magellan and Dick Rutan.

Hypothesis: Plotz hasn't made any observations about Magellan's motives.
Answer: no