Direct object. The direct object receives the action of a verb in a sentence. The indirect object represents to whom or for whom something is said. Ex: Sandra gave the book to Tom. Sandra is receiving the action: she gives the book Tom is the one getting the object
Governmentto rule by right of authority, as a king or queen or elected administrator does: [~ + object]to govern a nation. [no object]I'm sure he governs fairly. to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; control:[~ + object]the motives that govern a decision.
Explanation: The paraghraph says nothing about it being cold or less sunny. It tells us that last summer there was a lot of rain but that this summer not as much rain meaning that the lawns didn't grow as much or as fast.