Why is converting a virtual machine to a template significantly faster than creating a clone of the virtual machine?

Why is converting a virtual machine to a template significantly faster than creating a clone of the
virtual machine?

A.
Making a clone creates a linked-mode virtual disk.

B.
Making a clone creates a full copy of the VMDK file.

C.
Making a clone only creates a copy of the .vmx file.

D.
The template conversion has low priority on the system CPU.