“Picked” in “I picked the apples” is an 'active' verb because it shows that the subject “I” is the one who picked the apples.
After two years of 'active duty' [=two years of being a full-time member of the military] she entered the reserves.
He saw no 'active service' [=he did not fight in any battles] during his time in the army.
(..) What color hair will she have? Blond. Tell me some other things about her. She's in high school. She is sexually active. She's using drugs. She's crying out for help. Damn, Cooper, that really narrows it down. You're talking (..)1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me