12th Standard English • Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi
God Sees the Truth, But Waits – Book Back Questions and Answers
Unit 1 Supplementary | Leo Tolstoy
12th English Unit 1 Supplementary God Sees the Truth, But Waits Paragraph Book Back Answers Samacheer Kalvi
God Sees the Truth, But Waits Book Back Answers Class 12 English Guide Chapter 1 Tamilnadu Solutions
12th Standard English 1st Lesson God Sees the Truth, But Waits Questions and Answers
Warm Up:
Question 1.
If you are punished for a prank your classmate played, how would you react to the situation?
Answer
If wrongly punished for another’s prank, I would remain calm, gently let my friend know I disapproved, and forgive him—trusting that true friendship values honesty and apology.
Question 2.
While many would seek vengeance or feel sorry for themselves, some may put their trust in God, forgive others for the wrongs done to them and move on in life. What is your take on this? Discuss.
Answer
I believe anger and self-pity only burden the soul; instead, I would trust God, forgive the wrong, and move forward—knowing that genuine relationships endure, while others are best left behind.
Samacheer Kalvi 12th English God Sees the Truth, But Waits Textual Questions
1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the story.
Question (a)
Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Answer
Aksionov’s wife stopped him because she had a disturbing dream that foretold misfortune.
Question (b)
What is the importance of Aksionov’s wife’s dream?
Answer
Her dream of his hair turning grey was seen as a bad omen, hinting at impending tragedy.
Question (c)
What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?
Answer
Being an early riser, Aksionov left before dawn to travel in the cool morning air.
Question (d)
What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov’s imprisonment?
Answer
A blood stained knife was found in his bag after the merchant’s murder, leading to his wrongful arrest and imprisonment.
Question (e)
Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?
Answer
When his wife’s petition was rejected by Tzar and she herself doubted him, Aksionov lost hope and stopped sending appeals.
Question (f)
Why didn’t Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?
Answer
Makar concealed his guilt to avoid arrest and conviction.
Question (g)
Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story?
Answer
No, Makar showed no remorse, casually suggesting the knife must have belonged to whoever carried it.
Question (h)
What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer?
Answer
Makar’s remark about the knife being under Aksionov’s head revealed his knowledge of the crime, convincing Aksionov of his guilt.
Question (i)
What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?
Answer
By the end, Aksionov realized vengeance was futile, forgave Makar, and trusted God’s justice.
Question (j)
Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?
Answer
His wife suspected him because of her ominous dream and his occasional drinking, fearing he might have killed the merchant in a drunken quarrel.
Additional Questions
Question (a)
What is the story “God sees the truth but waits” about?
Answer
The story portrays Aksionov’s unjust suffering, his faith in God, and his ultimate forgiveness of the true murderer.
Question (b)
Write briefly about the early life of Aksionov.
Answer
In youth, Aksionov was cheerful, fond of singing, and prone to drinking and brawls, but marriage made him sober.
Question (c)
Why did Aksionov doubt his wife’s statement about a bad dream?
Answer
He dismissed his wife’s dream, thinking she only feared he might drink and misbehave at the fair.
Question (d)
What prompted Aksionov to ask Semyonich if he knew anything about the merchant Aksionov of Vladimir?
Answer
Hearing a convict was from Vladimir, Aksionov asked about his family after 26 years of separation.
Question (e)
What information was consoling to Aksionov?
Answer
He was consoled to learn that his family had become wealthy.
Question (f)
Why did Aksionov become angry and restless after meeting Semyonich?
Answer
Aksionov calmly replied that Makar had already ruined his life and left the matter to God.
Question (g)
What circumstances made Semyonich threaten to kill Aksionov?
Answer
Semyonich threatened to kill Aksionov after being caught secretly digging a tunnel to escape from prison. Fearing that Aksionov might expose him to the authorities and bring severe punishment, he grabbed Aksionov’s hand, warned him to stay silent, and even tried to tempt him with the chance to escape. When Aksionov refused, saying that Makar had already ruined his life and that he would act only as God directed, Semyonich’s desperation turned into a threat to kill him.
Question (h)
How did Aksionov react to the threat of Semyonich?
Answer
Aksionov calmly replied that Makar had already ruined his life and left the matter to God.
Question (i)
What was Governor’s opinion of Aksionov in the Siberian Jail?
Answer
The Governor regarded Aksionov as a truthful and trustworthy old man.
Question (j)
Why did the prisoners respect Aksionov?
Answer
Fellow prisoners respected him as “grandfather” and “saint,” relying on him to settle disputes and petition authorities.
Question (k)
What thoughts prevented Aksionov from exposing Semyonich who had ruined his life?
Answer
Aksionov chose not to expose Makar, believing punishment would serve no good and leaving him to God’s justice.
Question (l)
Why was Semyonich left unpunished for trying to escape from the jail?
Answer
Makar escaped punishment because no one dared to expose him and there was no evidence.
Question (m)
What unexpected thing happened at night?
Answer
Unexpectedly, Makar confessed at night, begging Aksionov’s forgiveness.
Question (n)
What made Aksionov feel that the belated confession of Semyonich and his own release would be futile?
Answer
Aksionov felt release was meaningless, as he had lost his family and spent his best years in prison.
2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.
Question (a)
Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
Answer
Yes, The police found a blood stained knife in Aksionov’s bag, and his pale, trembling reaction convinced them of his guilt. These circumstantial evidences were deemed sufficient for conviction.
Question (b)
What impact did the book “The Lives of Saints” have on Aksionov?
Answer
Reading The Lives of Saints made Aksionov deeply religious, resigned to his fate, and respected by fellow prisoners, who saw him as innocent and saintly.
Question (c)
Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.
Answer
Makar’s excitement on hearing Aksionov’s story and his careless remark about the knife under Aksionov’s head revealed his knowledge of the crime, proving he recognized Aksionov and was the true murderer.
3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each.
Question (a)
Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, in the story.
Answer
Aksionov is an innocent, sensitive, and God fearing man who endures twenty six years of unjust imprisonment with patience, forgiveness, and faith, while Makar Semyonich is a cunning murderer who frames him, hides his guilt for years, and only confesses when moved by Aksionov’s nobility—too late to save him.
| Character | Virtues | Flaws |
| Aksionov | – Innocent and honest businessman – Loving husband and father – Sensitive and God fearing – Patient and forgiving – Trusted by fellow prisoners | – Too trusting of others – Easily shaken by suspicion – Resigned to fate without fighting for justice |
| Makar Semyonich | – Eventually confesses his crime – Shows remorse after realizing Aksionov’s nobility | – Cunning and deceitful – Cold blooded murderer – Frames Aksionov with false evidence – Conceals guilt for years |
Question (b)
How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?
Answer
When his wife suspected him, Aksionov was heartbroken and devastated; realizing even she doubted his innocence, he abandoned hope in human justice and turned wholly to God, believing only divine mercy could reveal the truth.
This version keeps the emotional depth but expresses it in a single, polished sentence that’s exam ready.
Question (c)
Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.
Answer
In prison, Aksionov lived a humble and pious life. He learned boot making to earn a little money, read The Lives of Saints, and sang in the choir on Sundays. His meekness and honesty won the respect of jail authorities, while fellow prisoners admired him as “grandfather” and sought his guidance to settle disputes or petition grievances. Thus, he became a symbol of patience, faith, and moral strength within the prison.
Question (d)
Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?
Answer
Though anger initially rose in Aksionov’s heart after discovering Makar’s escape plan, he chose silence, believing that exposing him would only lead to brutal punishment without true justice. Instead, he entrusted Makar’s fate to God, deciding that divine judgment was more meaningful than human revenge.
Question (e)
Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”.
Answer
The saying “God sees the truth but waits” highlights the contrast between human justice and divine justice. Aksionov, wrongly accused and even doubted by his wife, realizes that earthly courts rely on false evidence and cannot save him. He turns instead to God, trusting that although divine justice may be delayed, it is certain and unfailing. Makar’s eventual confession proves that truth cannot remain hidden forever, and though Aksionov dies before his pardon, the story affirms that God’s justice prevails in His own time.
Question (f)
Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
Answer
The story shows that forgiveness is indeed the highest form of revenge. Though Aksionov suffers unjustly for twenty six years and discovers Makar’s guilt, he chooses silence and leaves judgment to God instead of exposing him. This act of mercy awakens Makar’s conscience, leading him to confess and seek forgiveness. By forgiving rather than retaliating, Aksionov gains inner peace and transforms Makar’s guilt into repentance, proving that forgiveness is more powerful than punishment.
Additional Questions
Question (a)
What were the nostalgic reminiscences that disturbed Aksionov once he discovered the real murderer of the merchant?
Answer
After realizing Makar was the true murderer, Aksionov was overwhelmed by painful memories of his past. He recalled the joyful days with his wife and children, his carefree youth, and the shame of his arrest and flogging before villagers. The thought of losing twenty six years in Siberia and growing old in captivity filled him with deep sorrow, leaving him so wretched that he even wished for death.
Question (b)
Describe the circumstances leading to Semyonich threatening Aksionov in Siberia?
Answer
One night, Aksionov noticed soil falling from a prison shelf and discovered Makar Semyonich secretly digging a tunnel to escape. Fearing exposure, Makar caught hold of Aksionov, threatened to kill him if he revealed the truth, and even tempted him with the chance to escape. Calmly, Aksionov refused, saying Makar had already ruined his life and that he would act only as God directed.
Question (c)
Why was the Governor forced to seek the witness of Aksionov?
Answer
The Governor sought Aksionov’s witness because he was respected by fellow prisoners and trusted by the authorities for his honesty. When evidence of an escape tunnel was found, suspicion fell on Makar Semyonich, but no one dared to speak out. Since all the prisoners denied knowledge, the Governor, relying on Aksionov’s nobility and truthfulness, asked him to reveal the culprit. However, Aksionov chose silence, leaving the matter to God.
4. Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.
Aksionov was a cheerful and honest businessman who lived happily with his wife and children. One day, he decided to go to the fair despite his wife’s warning after a bad dream. On his journey, he was falsely accused of murdering a merchant when a blood stained knife was found in his bag. His wife’s plea for mercy was rejected, and her doubt in his innocence broke his spirit. After being flogged, Aksionov was sent to Siberia, where he spent twenty six years working in the mines.
In prison, he became deeply religious, reading The Lives of Saints and praying constantly. His gentle nature earned him respect from both prisoners and jail authorities, who called him “grandfather.” One day, he met Makar Semyonich, the real murderer. When Aksionov discovered the truth, he chose not to expose Makar, leaving judgment to God. Makar, overcome with guilt, confessed his crime and begged forgiveness. Aksionov forgave him, attained peace through faith, and died before his pardon arrived—proving that divine justice, though delayed, is certain.
God Sees the Truth, But Waits About The Author
Leo Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Tula Province, Russia. He is best known for the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877), often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction. He first achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with his semi- autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth and Sevastopol Sketches, based upon his experiences in the Crimean War. Tolstoy’s fiction includes dozens of short stories and several novellas such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), Family Happiness, and Hadji Murad. He also wrote plays and numerous philosophical essays. Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910 in Astapovo, Russia.
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