[Q]: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries defied expectations on Wednesday and lowered its output ceiling by 900,000 barrels a day to 24.5 million barrels starting in November .

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided yesterday to lower its output ceiling by 900,000 barrels a day to 24.5 million barrels starting in November .
****
[A]: no

[Q]: " This blackout was largely preventable , " U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said at a briefing on the report .

" This blackout was largely preventable , " said Spencer Abraham , US energy secretary .
****
[A]: yes

[Q]: Although deeply disapproved of in the Soviet Union , the Beatles popularity knew no bounds and far outreached any other Western rock music .

Although the Beatles were deeply disapproved of in the Soviet Union , their popularity knew no bounds and far outreached any other Western rock groups .
****
[A]: yes

[Q]: The Standard & Poor 's 500 index rose 11.14 , or 1.2 percent , to 931.41 . "

The Standard & Poor 's 500 Index gained 10.89 , or 1.2 percent , to 931.12 as of 12 : 01 p.m. in New York .
****
[A]:
yes