Answer:
I think it would be "But before long these specimens began to seem less valuable." It should be this quote, because it lets the reader know that there is going to be a shift in the story.
Deft means skillful, or careful, so to use it properly here's an example: He deftly placed the glass on the table
Symmetry is when something is aligned perfectly, an example: Stripes on a shirt. The strips on the shirt had good symmetry.
To put them in a sentence together: The patterns on the floors were deftly placed, and the symmetry was perfect.
Its is d surveying
hope this helps
It (had always been) my dream to go on a cruise.
The verbal phrase is a participle.....I actually don't know that part because i don't what gerund is or infinitive but I do know what participle is. I am in 6th grade.
