As an official Soviet artist , his work was well received and widely exhibited .
As an official Soviet artist , his work was widely displayed and well received .

Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?
yes

His son John I Lestrange ( died before 1178 ) , twice sheriff of Shropshire , held the castles of Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth for King Henry II in 1174 .
His son John I Lestrange ( died prior to 1178 ) , twice Sheriff of Shropshire , held the castles of Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth in 1174 for King Henry II .

Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?
yes

The BMS - Chairperson is Gunter M. Ziegler ( FU ) , the deputy chairs are Jurg Kramer ( HU ) and John M. Sullivan ( TU ) .
The BMS Chair is Gunter M. Ziegler ( FU ) , and the deputy Chairs are Jurg Kramer ( HU ) and John M. Sullivan ( TU ) .

Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?
yes

Typically , prepaid voucher management systems are used with external systems based on an intelligent network .
Typically , external voucher management systems are used with prepaid systems based on an intelligent network .

Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?
no