  We study the electromagnetic responses of $^4$He within the framework of the
self-consistent continuum random phase approximation theory. In this approach
the ground state properties are described by a Hartree-Fock calculation. The
single particle basis constructed in this manner is used in the calculations of
the continuum responses of the system. Finite-range interactions are considered
in the calculations. We compare our results with photon absorption cross
sections and electron scattering quasi-elastic data. From this comparison, and
also from the comparison with the results of microscopic calculations, we
deduce that our approach describes well the continuum excitation.
