This document provides a summary of the short story "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" by Leo Tolstoy. It introduces the author Leo Tolstoy and provides background on the story. It then asks comprehension questions about the characters in the story, including Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov who is wrongly imprisoned for murder, and Makar Semyonich who confesses his guilt near the end. Students are assigned a character analysis activity and group performance project to create a new ending to the story.

1. A Three-Minute Battle
of Brilliant Ideas

2. 
JUSTICE
TOPIC OF THE DAY

3. 
GOD SEES THE
TRUTH BUT WAITS
Leo Tolstoy

4. What is your idea about
the story?
What do you want to know
about the story?

5. 
Meet the AUTHOR
LEO TOLSTOY
(1828-1910)

6. 
One of the world’s greatest
novelists, Leo Tolstoy is a Russian
writer and moral philosopher. His
writings profoundly influenced
much of 20th century literature,
and his moral teachings helped
shaped the thinking of several
important spiritual and political
leaders. His masterpieces include
War and Peace (1886) and Anna
Karenina (1877).

7. 
Pick out the appropriate
meaning of the highlighted
words.
UNLOCKING OF
DIFFICULTIES

8. 
Aksionov became riotous
after he had too much to
drink.
a. wild
b. tame
c. calm
d. sleepy

9. 
His face and manner
betrayed his fear.
a. covered
b. showed
c. caught
d. damaged

10. 
All Aksionov’s mirth was
gone; he spoke little and
never.
a. sadness
b. peacefulness
c. happiness
d. kindness

11. 
Aksionov’s wife was afraid
her husband would go on a
spree to drink away his
troubles.
a. short time
b. extravagant activity
c. hotel
d. relaxing activity

12. 
When he learned that his
wife also suspects him, he
began to weep hardly.
a. laugh
b. jump
c. cry
d. walk

13. 
READING THE STORY

14. 
COMPREHENSION
QUESTIONS

15. 
Who is Ivan
Dmitrich
Aksionov?
Describe him.

16. 
Why was Aksionov
blamed for the
murder of a fellow
merchant?

17. 
How did Aksionov
feel when his own
wife doubted his
innocence?

18. 
Aksionov served 26
years imprisonment
in Siberia. Why was
he called
“Grandfather,” and
“The Saint.”?

19. 
Near the end of the story
Makar Semyonich
confessed his guilt. Do
you think he deserved
Aksionov’s
forgiveness?Why or why
not?

20. 
Who among
the characters
do you admire
most? Why?

21. 
What positive
values could a
reader learn
from this story?

22. Using ½ crosswise of writing paper
complete the grid below. Describe each
of the following characters.
Assignment
Aksionov Makar
Before
imprisonment
During
imprisonment

23. 
DIRECT AND ACT IT! As a
group create your own ending
of the story. Write your own
script, rehearse and be ready to
present your performance to
the class. Role play must take
only 3-5 minutes.
ENRICHMENT