means or meant?

[Oceanlike]

In an exercise, I'd encountered this question: What is meant by 'the reverse'?

In my answer, do I write:

1) 'The reverse' means ......

OR

2) 'The reverse' meant .........

Thank you!

[emsr2d2]

Use "means" in the active.

[Oceanlike]

May I know how to write in passive, using meant? Or is it incorrect to use meant in response to this question?

Thank you!

[emsr2d2]

The passive answer would be very unnatural.

What is meant by "ugly"?
"Not pretty" is meant by "ugly".

The most natural answer would be "It means 'not pretty'."

[Raymott]

In an exercise, I'd encountered this question: [...]

Then what happened after that to make you feel the need for the past perfect tense?

[Oceanlike]

That's a good one, Raymott

I should have simply written it as - In an exercise, I encountered this question......
Is this right?

Thank you!

[Raymott]

Yes.