The direct object and the subject complement both answer questions?

That's a great observation! You're right, both direct objects and subject complements answer questions, but they do so in different ways:

* Direct Objects: Answer the question "What?" or "Whom?" after an action verb. They are the receiver of the action.

* Example: The dog chased *the ball*. (What did the dog chase? *The ball*)

* Subject Complements: Answer the question "What?" or "Who?" about the subject of a linking verb. They describe or identify the subject.

* Example: The dog is *a golden retriever*. (What is the dog? *A golden retriever*)

Let me know if you'd like more examples!