The points expected as answers:
(a) Hlestakov and Mayor are two major characters in the play.
(b) Both of them are public servants, while Mayor is a Senior officer, Hlestakov is a poor junior staff.
(c) Both of them are corrupt and exploitative
(d) Hestakov is a young bachelor, the Mayor is married and a family man.
(e) Hlestakov is a gambler and a womanizer, the Mayor is not.
(f) Eventually, Hlestakov is able to escape with his loot while the Mayor is duped.
The candidates that handled this question merely narrated the story and failed to compare and contrast the characters. 
