Difference between character and figure

[Rich7]

Test No. 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. 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: incorrect
He had been in his hey day (at his most successful time) an important character in a government department for agriculture.
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why could not be character?

[Torsten]

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