Premise:
"Can you really live on $32,500 in New York City?"
Hypothesis: Is it possible to live in New York on $32500.

yes

Premise:
"Federal policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to better achieve agencies' missions and program results, in other words, they are seeking ways to improve accountability."
Hypothesis: Federal policymakers would rather be examining other issues instead of constantly assessing program results.

it is not possible to tell

Premise:
"They retraced their steps slowly to the gate."
Hypothesis: Slowly, they traced their own steps the way back to the gate.
yes