Final answer:
The bolded word 'is' is a linking verb, which connects the subject 'Kilimanjaro' to the phrase 'the highest mountain in Africa.'
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given sentence, the bolded word 'is' is a linking verb.
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or renames it. In this case, 'is' connects the subject 'Kilimanjaro' to the phrase 'the highest mountain in Africa.'
This sentence can be rewritten as 'Kilimanjaro exists as the highest mountain in Africa,' where 'exists as' functions as a synonym for 'is' and reinforces its role as a linking verb.