When cold season approaches, many people take precautions to avoid colds and flu. The flu shot is a first line of defense. Doctor's offices and pharmacies dispense shots. Many clinics, community groups, and public health departments offer free shots. Healthy eating, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough sleep are also important guards against winter illness.

The most important step of all, in order to stay well during cold season, is washing your hands frequently. Colds and flu are transmitted through your hands. The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus. You pick up and pass on flu and cold viruses whenever you touch surfaces contaminated by the other people. Doorknobs, handles, faucets, food-cart and basket handles, elevator buttons, public phones, tables, and trays, to name a few, can all carry viruses and bacteria. Touching your nose or rubbing your eyes after outing are the quickest way to pick up germs on your hands. So, pay attention and keep washing!

In three to five sentences, identify the main claim of the passage and explain some examples of supports for that claim. identify a sentence in a second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail.

The main claim of the passage is that taking precautions such as getting the flu shot, practicing good hygiene and healthy habits, and washing hands frequently are important in staying well during the cold season. Some examples of supports for this claim include mentioning that flu shots are a first line of defense, that many places offer free shots, and that healthy eating and proper sleep also help prevent illness.

An example of a sentence in the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail is "The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus." This sentence, while informative, does not directly support the main claim and is not necessary in explaining the importance of washing hands frequently to avoid colds and flu.

The main claim of the passage is that taking precautions such as getting the flu shot, practicing healthy habits, and washing hands frequently is important for staying well during the cold season.

Examples of support for this claim include the statement that the flu shot is a first line of defense and can be obtained from various sources such as doctor's offices, pharmacies, clinics, and public health departments. Another example of support is the mention of healthy habits like eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep to boost the immune system. The passage also describes how cold and flu viruses are commonly transmitted through contaminated surfaces, and emphasizes the importance of washing hands frequently to prevent this transmission.

A sentence in the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail is: "The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus." This detail does not contribute to the main claim of the passage, which is focused on the importance of taking precautions to avoid colds and flu during the cold season.

The main claim of the passage is that taking precautions such as getting the flu shot, practicing healthy habits, and washing your hands frequently can help prevent colds and flu during the cold season. Some examples of supports for this claim are the mention of doctor's offices and pharmacies dispensing flu shots, the availability of free shots through clinics and public health departments, and the explanation of how cold and flu viruses are transmitted through surfaces and can be picked up by touching your nose or rubbing your eyes.

An example of a sentence in the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail is: "The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus." This sentence, while providing additional information, is not directly relevant to the main claim of the passage, which is about the precautions and measures one can take to prevent colds and flu.