Which form of the Previous Question applies to all pending motions?

• A. Unqualified applies to all pending motions
• B. Qualified applies to all pending motions
• C. It applies to the main motion
• D. It applies to none

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is understanding how the two forms of the Previous Question control the scope of ending debate. The Previous Question is a motion to cut off discussion and move to a vote, but which motions it affects depends on the form used. The form described as qualified is the one that applies to all pending motions on the floor. When adopted, it ends debate on every item currently awaiting decision, letting the assembly move to votes on all of them in turn. This is why it’s considered the form that applies to all pending motions.

The unqualified form, by contrast, does not sweep in every pending motion. It typically targets the main question and its directly related motions, so its effect is narrower and it doesn’t bring all outstanding items to a vote at once. The option saying it applies to the main motion only or to none wouldn’t fit the way the forms are defined in parliamentary procedure.