Difference between character and figure

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-81 “Save Our Animals (1)”, question 5

He had been in his hey day (at his most successful time) an important in a government department for agriculture.

(a) character
(b) puppet
(c) personage
(d) figure

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-81 “Save Our Animals (1)”, answer 5

He had been in his hey day (at his most successful time) an important figure in a government department for agriculture.

Correct answer: (d) figure

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
He had been in his hey day (at his most successful time) an important character in a government department for agriculture.
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

why could not be character?

Figure is more tangible, it can mean person while character is more abstract describing the skills and abilities of a person.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening lectures: What aspect of USA Today does the professor mainly discuss?[YSaerTTEW443543]