Which of the following computer design approaches is based on the fact that in earlier technologies, the instruction fetch was the longest part of the cycle? 

Answer options:

A. Pipelining
B. Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC)
C. Complex Instruction Set Computers (CISC)
D. Scalar processors

C

Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) uses instructions that perform many operations per instruction. It was based on the fact that in earlier technologies, the instruction fetch was the longest part of the cycle. Therefore, by packing more operations into an instruction, the number of fetches could be reduced. Pipelining involves overlapping the steps of different instructions to increase the performance in a computer. Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC) involve simpler instructions that require fewer clock cycles to execute. Scalar processors are processors that execute one instruction at a time. Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel
D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 5: Security Architectures and Models (page 188).