Premise:
"nothing but problems with it so he finally traded it in and actually bought a Ford Escort"
Hypothesis: He expects fewer problems with the Ford Escort that he bought.

yes

Premise:
"There was only barren earth, with a tiny, limp sapling in the middle of empty acres."
Hypothesis: The place was lush with trees and grass.

no

Premise:
"The progressive matching formula was to phase down as income increased."
Hypothesis: As income increased, the formula was to be phased out.
yes