The importance is the order and context of the questions, both questions basically equates to a: Would you gamble with $1000 and b: Would you gamble with $100.

The importance is the order and context of the questions, both questions basically equates to a: Would you gamble with $1000 and b: Would you gamble with $100. If only given question b and some time to think you would probably answer no (depending on your risk-preference). But because of question a, the amount and probability in question b seems insignificant which decreases your risk-averseness.