judging the parallelism between both sides of AND

[mvvnssrikanth]

The earliest English settlers in Virginia failed to survive their first winter in the New World because of factors such as inadequate food supplies, harsh weather,
and an inability to communicate with Native Americans.

A)an inability
B)that they were unable
C)because they were unable
D)being unable
E)Lacking an ability

I agree that option B and C are wrong because they are clauses but Please can some Body explain why option E is not correct as Lacking is gerund (Noun) and ability (noun).

[tim]

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