Final answer:
The word 'commotion' best describes the noise that was preventing people from sleeping in the given text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'No one dreamed of trying to snatch a wink of sleep while this din was going on' suggests that the noise described was preventing people from sleeping. Among the given options, the best word to describe this type of noise is 'commotion.' Commotion refers to a state of noisy confusion or excitement that can disturb or prevent sleep.