ok what does writting in past tence mean , and its asking me in what respect was the adventure a new kind of sailing ship
Writing in the past tense is telling a story that happened before now.
Examples of past tense:
Yesterday, she SWEPT the patio.
Years ago, people GREW most of their own food.
We HAVE never FOUND any evidence of Vikings in Minnesota.
For the second question, search the book to find descriptions of the Adventure that show it's a new kind of sailing ship.