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 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 an 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 the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail.
The main claim of the passage is that taking precautions such as getting flu shots, practicing healthy habits, and washing hands frequently are important in preventing colds and flu during the cold season. Some examples of supports for this claim include the mention of flu shots being a first line of defense, the availability of free shots from various sources, and the emphasis on washing hands frequently as the most important step.
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 is not directly related to the main claim of taking precautions to avoid colds and flu, but rather provides additional information about the common cold virus.