Premise: Unlike the 1980s, when the economy's leading figures often seemed to be people like Michael Milken and Boone Pickens, who were speculators in that classic populist sense of the word, the people who get the most attention and respect today are almost all businessmen who spend their time making things, not playing with other people's Bill Gates, Michael Dell, or whoever.

Hypothesis: The economy's leading figures are usually people like Boone Pickens who are populists.
Answer: yes

Premise: Poisons are his hobby, so of course he sees them everywhere." I confess that I was surprised by Lawrence's attitude.

Hypothesis: Lawrence's hobby is poisons.
Answer: yes

Premise: The entrance to the chateau is through the brick-and-stone gateway of the late Gothic Louis XII wing, completed in 1503.

Hypothesis: The entrance to the chateau is through a small wooden door.
Answer: no

Premise: The palace, much altered over the generations, was generally used as a residence only at times of dynastic importance or danger, when Holyrood, down in the lowland, was difficult to defend.

Hypothesis: The palace was only a house when there was a threat.
Answer: yes