QUESTION:

Is it possible to select a single object which is part of a group so that I can check its material assignment, without un-grouping them ?

ANSWER:

You can use the ALT key to select individual objects from within a group. Unfortunately I haven't worked out how to stop the ALT key activating the main application's menu yet, so it can be a bit tricky to cycle between adjacent objects using the SPACE bar (that key combination pops up the Window's System menu). To overcome this, simply keep the left mouse button pressed after you click the object you want and, if you get the wrong one, simply drag the mouse up/down until the right object becomes selected.