American Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

The phrase "the sky is the limit" was first used in which landmark American text?

1. The Declaration of Independence

2. Common Sense

3. Man Without a Country

4. The Federalist Papers

The correct answer is: Common Sense

The phrase "the sky is the limit" was popularized in the 1776 pamphlet "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. This phrase reflects the idea that anything is possible and there are no limitations to what one can achieve. The other options are not incorrect, but they were not the first to use this phrase. The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States, but it does not contain the phrase. "Man Without a Country" is a short story published in 1863, long after the phrase had already been popularized. The Federalist Papers, a collection of essays advocating for the ratification of the US Constitution, were written in 1788, also after the phrase had gained widespread use.