Final answer:
The meaning of the underlined word in the sentence is d. people of the same age, and it refers to the individuals belonging to Katie's generation who are her closest friends.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meaning of the underlined word:
The meaning of the underlined word in the sentence is people of the same age. In this context, 'contemporaries' refers to individuals who are the same age as Katie and belong to her generation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Katie knew a lot of older people, but her closest friends were her contemporaries. This means that while she may have had acquaintances or connections with older individuals, her closest relationships were with people who were the same age as her.
Example:
For example, if Katie is a high school student, her contemporaries would be her classmates and peers who are also in the same age range.