In the same passage on the Uniform Civil Code, choose the correct word to complete the clause "and has ended up ___________ a simple question — what is the value of uniformity?".

Introduction / Context:
This cloze item tests knowledge of collocations and the natural combination of verbs with objects in formal English. The sentence says that after many years of debate, the movement has ended up blank a simple question, followed by the question itself. The word we choose must therefore express the act of presenting or putting forward a question. Understanding the typical collocation in English will guide us to the correct option.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The relevant part of the sentence is: has ended up blank a simple question. - The object is a simple question, specifically what is the value of uniformity. - The options are holding, positioning, posturing, and posing. - The passage uses formal argumentative language.

Concept / Approach:
In English, when we talk about bringing a question or problem to attention, we usually use the verb pose. Phrases such as pose a question, pose a challenge, or pose a problem are very common. The other verbs offered have different primary meanings. Holding a question is not a standard expression. Positioning a question would sound strange and more physical than intellectual. Posturing is related to adopting an attitude or pose in a social sense. Therefore the best match with question as object is posing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Restate the sentence with each option: has ended up holding a simple question. This sounds odd and incomplete. Step 2: Try has ended up positioning a simple question. This gives a physical image of placing something and does not fit the abstract sense. Step 3: Try has ended up posturing a simple question. Posturing is normally intransitive and refers to behaviour, not to actions on questions. Step 4: Try has ended up posing a simple question. This is a familiar and idiomatic English phrase. Step 5: Confirm that pose a question is a widely accepted collocation in academic and journalistic writing. Step 6: Therefore, choose posing as the only natural and grammatically correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can check by looking at similar examples: The report poses an important question about accountability. The incident poses serious challenges for policymakers. In each case, pose combines with an abstract noun to express the act of presenting an issue or question. Replacing pose with hold, position, or posture would make the sentence ungrammatical or at least highly unnatural. Because the passage is discussing an ongoing debate and the final question that emerges from it, the phrase ended up posing a simple question fits both the tone and grammar.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, holding, usually means carrying or keeping something in the hands or in possession. It does not naturally combine with question in this context. Option B, positioning, suggests physically placing something in a location, which does not match the abstract action of presenting a question. Option C, posturing, is related to attitudes or behaviour, especially when someone shows off or takes an artificial stance, and it rarely takes a question as its direct object.

Common Pitfalls:
A common trap in cloze tests is that learners may focus on individual word meanings but ignore collocations. Several verbs may seem possible when considered alone, but only one will form a standard phrase with the given noun. Remembering frequent combinations such as pose a question, raise an issue, and hold a belief helps greatly in these questions. Exam setters often include distractors that share a root meaning with the correct word, such as posturing, but which do not create natural phrases with the key noun.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is posing.