QUES: Following California 's lead , several states and the federal government passed similar or stricter bans .

Several states and the federal government later passed similar or more strict bans .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
OPTIONS:
- no
- yes
****
ANS: no

[Q]: The time was about 4 a.m. on March 18 , just hours before the first pinpoint missiles rained down on the capital .

The seizure occurred at 4am on March 18 , just hours before the first American air assault .

OPTIONS:
- no
- yes
****
[A]: no

Problem: Wwo sentences:
" We have sent a message to the nation that this is a new Louisiana , " she told a victory party in New Orleans .
" We have sent a new message out to the nation that this is a new Louisiana . "
Do they have the same meaning? OPTIONS:
- no
- yes

Answer: yes

Here are two sentences:

We are currently trying to understand the scope and details of the investigation . . . .

Weber said late Thursday that the company is still trying to understand the scope and details of the investigation .
OPTIONS:
- no
- yes

yes

Q: " They were brutally beaten , and it 's really a wonder that Porchia is the only deceased in this case . "

" It 's a wonder that Porchia was the only deceased in this case , " Sax added .

Please tell me if the sentences above mean the same.
OPTIONS:
- no
- yes
A: no

[Q]: The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index < .IXIC > added 8.27 points , or 0.51 percent , to 1,633.53 .
The broader Standard & Poor 's 500 Index .SPX crept up 4.3 points , or 0.44 percent , to 980.52 .
(See options at the end). If the first sentence is true, is the second one also true?
OPTIONS:
- no
- yes

[A]:
no