a 1kg blob of clay is moving at 8m/s collides inelastically with a 3 kg wooden block that is initially at rest

The answer is trial 3.

Sounds propagates through some kind of medium. usually it's air, but it goes just as well through solid objects like walls, windows etc. a soundwave will compress the (air)molecules in front of it, and if this increased density wave hits your ears, you register it as sound. solid objects like walls are a lot denser than air, this means that they will damp a wave, but also carry it easier.